Sport

Phoenix fall to bottom of the table

23:33 pm on 4 December 2016

The Wellington Phoenix have fallen to the bottom of the A-League ladder following their two-nil loss to Adelaide at Coopers Stadium.

Phoenix captain Andrew Durante. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Two wonder goals from Brazilian import Henrique secured the Reds a 2-0 win.

Roy Krishna had a chance to give Phoenix the lead in 21st minute, but his penalty was saved by Eugene Galekovic.

Missed the match? Check out all the highlights and lowlights here.

At the other end Henrique thundered a shot into the bottom corner before the half hour to put Adelaide in front. In the 40th minute the Brazilian winger doubled the advantage with a strike from the edge of the box.

Phoenix pushed hard to get back in the contest in the second half and even had the ball in the back of the next when substitute Hamish Watson turned in a Kosta Barbarouses cross. Yet the strike was ruled out for offside as Phoenix fell 2-0 away from home.

Glen Moss denied Sergi Guardiola with a one-on-one early shot in the first period to keep the home side at bay.

Phoenix had the chance to break the deadlock 20 minutes in, when Adam Parkhouse was brought down in the box, but Krishna was unable to convert from the spot.

Three minutes later Adelaide were at the opposite end and Henrique found space on the edge of the box before firing a shot that Moss had no chance to keep out with his vision restricted.

The Brazilian was it again soon after as a free kick was played just outside the box and the centre forward curled in an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Phoenix came out for the second period with renewed vigour and pressed the Adelaide defence.

Gui Finkler was given the chance to get his name on the score sheet when he was awarded a free kick on the 51st minute, but Reds goalkeeper Galekovic gathered the effort.

Phoenix were the denied by the assistant's flag when Barbarouses played in substitute Watson, who tapped in before the strike was ruled out for offside.

The loss pushes the Phoenix to the bottom of the ladder on just six points from their eight matches so far this season.