There really is something about that red kit.
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In their second appearance in the Wollongong Wolves-inspired colours while they're based in the Illawarra, Wellington Phoenix marched to a thumping 4-1 over struggling Melbourne Victory at WIN Stadium on Wednesday night.
Phoenix produced some stunning passages, including the opening goal from striker Tomer Hemed, which delighted coach Ufuk Talay.
"We played some very good football today," Talay said
"The most important thing for us was scoring four goals, that would boost the confidence."
Wellington's opening score after 11 minutes came from a devastating counter attack and was one of the best team goals witnessed in this season's A-League
Reno Piscopo, David Ball and Ulises Davila played perfectly timed passes to set up Hemed, with the Israeli firing in his third goal in his last three games.
They doubled their lead with a more contentious goal from Ball after 36 minutes.
He netted after the ball came off the elbow of teammate Alex Rufer, though Brebner had no issues with it under the laws.
Phoenix almost increased their lead in the 49th minute when Victory goalkeeper Matt Acton made a super stop, tipping a James McGarry shot onto a post.
Any hopes of a Victory revival were snuffed out when Davila's super 62nd minute strike from the edge of the area arrowed into the net.
Six more minutes elapsed before Clayton Lewis, who hit the bar In the first half, scored his first A-League goal for Phoenix.
Kamsoba pulled one back in the 76th minute, but it was scant consolation for his well-beaten club.
Wellington move up two places to eighth on the ladder.
The Phoenix, who beat Perth 3-nil in a double-header with the Wolves when the red shirt made its A-League debut, now share the stage against with the NSW National Premier League club on Sunday.
Wolves play Northbridge Bulls at 1pm at WIN Stadium, before the Phoenix take on A-League expansion club Macarthur at 4.05pm.
Beleaguered Melbourne Victory coach Grant Brebner said he wouldn't resign after the ailing A-League glamour club's horrendous run continued with a 4-1 loss.
Wednesday's drubbing for Victory came amid speculation that the club had already talked to Tony Popovic about becoming their next manager.
It was The Melbourne side's fourth straight loss, during which they have leaked 17 goals, and their sixth defeat from their last seven fixtures.
Speculation continues to mount about Brebner's position with former Socceroo Robbie Slater tweeting that he had heard the Victory board had already spoken to former Perth and Western Sydney coach Popovic, who was sacked by Greek club Xanthi last month.
Brebner insisted he wouldn't walk away from the club despite their dire situation which has them four points adrift at the bottom of the ladder with just two wins.
"As a player in a difficult situation and now as a head coach, one thing I'm committed to doing is making sure that I work 100 per cent along with my staff to get us out of it," Brebner said.
Victory enjoyed some good passages of play in the first half and had more shots, but were denied by two fine saves from Oli Sail.
He pushed away an Elvis Kamsoba drive and produced a phenomenal reflex save to deny Ben Folami from close range
"We didn't play like a team that were devoid of confidence. We didn't play like a team that didn't go out there to win the game," Brebner said.
"We just made some terrible decisions in and around the penalty box that cost us dearly." with AAP
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Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
