5 Things We Learned From Wee Nix Defeat

Words: ACFC Media

Tuesday 22 November 2016

Picture: Phototek

The Wellington Phoenix U-20 beat the Navy Blues 1-0 in their latest encounter at David Farrington Park on Sunday and ACFC Media looks at what we learned from the match.

1. The Navy Blues get hit with a late counter

The Phoenix began the game with nothing to lose and confident of rattling Auckland City FC after selecting a strong side following the postponement of the Hyundai A-League game because of the Kaikoura earthquake.

In came Lewis Italiano, Alex Rufer, Louis Fenton and Matt Ridenton, to name but a few. Despite that, the Wee Nix had only beaten Auckland City FC once before at this level, a 3-1 win in 2015.

Yet even a late goal was surely beyond the wildest dreams of any Wee Nix supporter, especially after the way the Navy Blues dominated possession and created plenty of goalscoring chances.

Backed by a small pocket of Phoenix regulars, Logan Rogerson pounced on a swift counter attack opportunity and the points were snared.

2. Auckland City FC must be more ruthless

Auckland City FC has built its domestic, regional and international success off the back of some clinical performances.

The dispatch of Team Wellington in the OFC Champions League final last season where the possession stats hovered around 80 percent for vast periods and showed just how ruthless they can be.

A 10-0 thrashing of Southern United at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin two seasons ago illustrated perfectly how callous and unfeeling they can be when putting a weaker opponent to the sword.

Yet somehow in the last three games that sense Auckland City FC will run riot on the scoresheet seems to be in a state of suspended animation.

At least for now. The Navy Blues have three more chances to get that right starting with Hawke's Bay United, then Hong Kong Rangers before a hit out with Yokohama FC.

Time is on their side to sharpen up at the top end.

3. The Wellington Phoenix lived up to their "unpredictable" tag.

Having beaten Team Wellington in a come-from-behind 2-1 win in the first few weeks, the Wee Nix proved just how difficult they are to predict.

With any reserve side there is always some degree of doubt about motivation, experience, personnel and game plan as the coach is forced into team selections that impact elsewhere in a wider structure.

The Wee Nix showed the other side of the coin when they turned in an insipid performance to draw 1-1 with Tasman United at Westpac Trust Stadium.

Brilliant in the lead-up but awful at finishing, the Wee Nix conceded a poor goal before drawing level late on.

All that was built off the back of arguably the miss of the season. If Auckland City FC play that particular Wee Nix team, chances are good they'd have grabbed all three points.

The Wee Nix can change up a gear, play deep, choose to counter, go on the offensive and litter their team with formidable professional players.

Based on that formula, they could yet rack up even more points against all comers. 

4. The Stirling Sports Premiership is unpredictable...and close

The chase for top spot is well and truly on - Eastern Suburbs AFC were too sharp for Southern United but the rest of the league looks finely balanced.

Team Wellington seem to have overcome their horror start to rack up three wins on the bounce. Canterbury United Dragons remain unbeaten after the first five games even though they'll be conscious of drawing three of those games.

Tasman United picked up a 3-2 away win at Hamilton Wanderers, a Wanderers side that had earlier belted the Lilywhites 4-0.

Factor in the Wee Nix beating Auckland City FC 1-0, Hawke's Bay United holding on for a draw with the Dragons and Waitakere United - the Navy Blues conquerors on the opening day of the season - losing to Team Wellington at home and drawing with Southern United, and you have the Stirling Sports Premiership in microcosm.

With all the talk of an expanded FIFA Club World Cup of 32 teams by June 2019, it makes for a fascinating title race, that's for sure.

5. The Navy Blues missed Ryan De Vries

The Navy Blues have scored just one goal in their last three games as opponents opt to sit deep in their own half and lay in wait for a chance to hit on the break.

Compounding the frustrations is the absence of Ryan De Vries who picked up a slight ankle knock at training.

De Vries won the Stirling Sports Premiership golden boot last season and is Auckland City FC's chief finisher.

Pacy, strong, powerful and ruthless in front of goal, De Vries loss was felt keenly.

Fortunately, the Cape Town-born Kiwi is thought to be not too far away from a return just as the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016 looms.

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