Elrich's dream debut counts for little

ROB KITCHIN/Dominion Post

SILENCED: Wellington Phoenix supporters were in full voice for most of the game but were silenced when an injury time goal sent their team to a 2-1 loss to the Central Coast Mariners.

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It took Ahmad Elrich 24 minutes yesterday to show more than 10,500 people at Westpac Stadium why he made it to the English Premier League and why Wellington signed him as their marquee player.

But the former Fulham midfielder admits his "dream" home debut goal mattered little in the scheme of things.

Making his first start for the Phoenix, Elrich's 24th minute strike, where he turned, took a touch, beat his marker and fired a 25m thunderbolt past Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic and into the top right corner, was pure quality and the best seen at Westpac Stadium in five A-League matches this season.

It also rivals Felipe's wonder goal against Sydney FC in round four as the Phoenix's most thrilling moment this year and Elrich said it was a dream start in front of a buoyant home crowd.

"It's always a dream to score on your home debut but to concede the goals that we did was very disappointing," the Australian said after the last-minute 2-1 loss to the Central Coast Mariners.

"At this level, at any level, you can't concede goals like that.

"These are the games your season depends on, and to do that in the last couple of minutes is heart-breaking to the whole team.

"We have to learn from that and concentrate on getting two wins, or three wins, away."

Elrich lasted 85 minutes and was always a danger on the right flank.

"I'm feeling sharper, another game under my belt, so hopefully a few more games I'll be back to where I was.

"So overall, I'm pretty happy about my own performance, but very disappointed that we lost. Even a point would have been good."

He said the team was down in the dressing room after the loss.

"If you're not disappointed you're not a true professional.

"But we have to show our true character now, and work on what went wrong and rectify it."

- © Fairfax NZ News