Source: Radio New Zealand
Carlo Armiento of the Wellington Phoenix in action against Melbourne Victory. www.photosport.nz
Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano says some mistakes were “inexcusable” from his Wellington Phoenix in the 3-2 loss to Melbourne Victory.
The Phoenix remain 10th on the standings and four points outside the top six with 10 matches remaining, after gifting the visitors too many good chances in front of a vocal home crowd at Sky Stadium.
Italiano was happy with most of his team’s performance, but felt they defended poorly.
“There were some really inexcusable moments that I’m really annoyed at that were easily preventable,” Italiano said. “We made some silly errors tonight… the second and third goals are terrible to concede.
“I don’t mind if we concede goals where we’re open and expansive, but not when it’s down to simple box defending principles we work on all the time.
“This is not the only game we’ve been in control and we’re just conceding at the wrong time.”
Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano. www.photosport.nz
Wellington also had a late penalty overturned following intervention from the video assistant referee.
Referee Jack Morgan initially deemed first-half goalscorer Carlo Armiento was fouled in the box, but changed his decision, after watching numerous replays, to the chagrin of Italiano.
Victory took the lead in the 10th minute, when centre-back Sebastian Esposito flicked home a near post corner.
Armiento found an equaliser in the 39th minute, but Victory reclaimed the halftime lead with their second shot on target, when Nishan Velupillay took advantage of a favourable deflection.
The visitors went two goals clear with 13 minutes remaining, with substitutes Keegan Jelacic and Louis D’Arrigo combining effectively.
The Phoenix earned a lifeline three minutes later, when Victory turned a right-wing corner into their own net.
Wellington travel to Sydney for Friday’s next match against Western Sydney Wanderers, with re-signed All Whites midfielder Sarpreet Singh is poised to play.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/07/wellington-phoenix-rue-lapses-in-loss-to-melbourne-victory/