Wellington Phoenix defender Tim Payne. Photo: Photosport
Striker Ifeanyi Eze found the scoresheet again as Wellington Phoenix draw 1-1 with Central Coast in Gosford to maintain an unbeaten start to the A-League season.
Phoenix sit fourth on the standings after three rounds, having opened their season with a 2-2 draw away to Perth and followed up with a 2-1 defeat of Brisbane at home.
Up next is a mouth-watering home derby against the league-leading Auckland FC on Saturday.
Nigerian Eze, who also found the net in Perth, opened the scoring in the fourth minute to stun the Mariners, tapping home Fin Roa Conchie's shot was parried by goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.
But they were denied for the remainder of the contest, with Redmayne producing a series of quality saves.
Central Coast finished the stronger of the two sides and managed to find an equaliser through their Kenyan winger Sabit Ngor seven minutes into the second half.
Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano was disappointed to have claimed all three points.
"I felt as though we had enough chances to finish the game in the first half," Italiano told media post-match.
"Second half we were very disjointed. Losing Hide (Hideki Ishige) and Fin Conch (Fin Roa Conchie), both 10s, killed our build-up and our press.
"We just couldn't get into the groove and hurt Mariners like we did in the first half. I think it was a pretty poor goal we conceded as well. A bit frustrated to be fair."
Giancarlo said his team were ready for the challenge of facing Auckland FC, who have lodged two wins and a draw.
"We need to go and be the home team and be on the front foot," he said.
"We're moving towards a more positive style. I feel as though the boys are taking on a lot of information about the style we're trying to play.
"It takes a lot of bravery and it takes a lot of guts and this is the match where you'll see whether or not we have the nerve to do it.
"I love playing against good teams like Auckland because we can also raise our level as well."
