Slow start costs Phoenix

A new season but some old problems for the Wellington Phoenix.

The concession of soft goals away from home has plagued them from day one in the A-League and it is again an issue needing swift attention after the troubled Newcastle Jets scored a late, but deserved, 3-2 win at EnergyAustralia Stadium in Newcastle.

Yesterday's loss puts added pressure on the Phoenix when they return home to play fellow first- round losers Perth Glory at Westpac Stadium this Sunday.

With away matches against potential contenders Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne in the coming month, and a history of struggling in Australia, the Phoenix desperately need a win against Perth after blowing a good chance for three points against the Jets.

Hopes were high among the camp for a bright start against the disrupted Jets but it was a case of deja vu in the first half, with two soft goals.

There were some positives. New striker Chris Greenacre scored his first goal for the club from his only chance, Paul Ifill had few opportunities until he was replaced by Daniel but he held the ball up well, and Leo Bertos was at his best providing a spark from midfield and assisting in both goals in a top- drawer performance.

But they are scant consolation without a result to show for it.

The defence was opened up too easily by a team that is not expected to feature come the end of the season. And while combinations on attack were understandably lacking and will take time to build, the defence does not have the same excuse.

The Phoenix were caught too flat for the first of Jason Hoffman's two goals and the second was a result of more lamentable defending when Song Jin-Hyung was given too much space inside the penalty box. Mark Paston failed to deal effectively with Song's shot and Hoffman cleaned up.

The Phoenix needed a quick reply and Ben Sigmund provided just that four minutes later, meeting a Bertos freekick with a thundering header that gave Jets stopper Ben Kennedy no chance. It was Sigmund's first goal in 16 matches.

And just before the break Bertos pounced on a midfield turnover, scooted away and set up Greenacre. His shot from just outside the box was botched by Kennedy, who watched in dismay as the ball trickled into the net.

The Phoenix settled far quicker in the second half and, aside from the odd chance at either end - the best of which should have seen Hoffman secure his hat-trick - were rarely tested. At least until Jason Naidovski finished off a sweeping move with a free header from close range to score the 84th- minute winner.

Meanwhile, Shane Smeltz scored his first goal of the season as big-spending newcomers Gold Coast beat Brisbane 3-1 at Suncorp Stadium.

Robbie Fowler scored from the penalty spot for fellow newbies North Queensland in a 3-2 loss to Sydney in Townsville, while Adelaide beat Perth 1-0 and Central Coast opened with a 2-0 upset win against champions Melbourne.

- © Fairfax NZ News