Wellington Phoenix return to winning ways with 3-0 rout of Western United

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Brazilian midfielder Yan Sasse celebrates with Bozhidar Kraev after scoring the Phoenix’s opening goal.

Steve Bell/Getty Images

Brazilian midfielder Yan Sasse celebrates with Bozhidar Kraev after scoring the Phoenix’s opening goal.

At University of Tasmania Stadium, Launceston: Wellington Phoenix 3 (Yan Sasse 18’, Bozhidar Kraev 58’, Oskar Zawada pen-64’) Western United 0. HT: 1-0

Wellington Phoenix have picked up a much-needed win, beating defending A-League Men champions Western United in stylish fashion to reinvigorate their season.

Believe it or not they even scored a penalty.

Spectacular goals from imports Yan Sasse and Bozhidar Kraev in either half gave the Phoenix a two-goal buffer before Oskar Zawada stepped up to convert a spot-kick to seal a comprehensive 3-0 win at the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston on Friday night, snapping a three-game winless run.

Kraev played a part in all three goals as the Bulgarian midfielder well and truly rediscovered his mojo after a quiet spell, having been one of the best performers in the league in the early rounds.

He teed up Sasse for the 19th minute opener, which got the ball rolling in a game the Phoenix dominated.

The Brazilian dribbled towards the Western United defence and cut inside two players before blasting the ball past goalkeeper Jamie Young from outside the penalty area for just his second of goal of the season.

After sending an audacious volley wide moments earlier, Kraev doubled the Phoenix’s lead in the 58th minute when he charged through midfield and let rip from a similar position to Sasse, bending the ball past an outstretched Young from well outside the area.

The goal took Kraev’s season tally to seven.

After having a penalty saved in their defeat against Macarthur last weekend, Zawada made no mistake on this occasion when he answered coach Ufuk Talay’s call to step up and take their next penalty.

The Phoenix won the 64th minute spot-kick when Kraev was bundled over by Tongo Doumbia.

Zawada produced a long run-up and then buried the ball into the bottom left corner to become the first Phoenix player to convert a penalty in five attempts, banishing their demons after their Macarthur nightmare.

Zawada’s goal was his ninth in 11 games, putting him within touching distance of his target of 10 goals.

The scoreline could have been even bigger had it not been for Young’s heroics.

The veteran shotstopper pulled off a crucial save early in the game, diving low and sticking out his right hand to deny Sasse after Kraev put him one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Phoenix goalkeeper Oli Sail himself made a big save late in the game, diving to his right to stop Lachie Wales from close-range to keep just his third clean sheet of the season.

The Phoenix saw two great chances go begging in the final moments of the game. Substitute Sam Sutton accelerated into the box and delivered a neat cross for David Ball, but the Englishman headed wide.

Zawada then tried to chip Young after being played over the top but the ball took a touch off the goalkeeper and went out for a corner.

The only blip for the Phoenix on an otherwise perfect night was right-back Callan Elliot picking up his fifth yellow card of the season after grabbing the shirt of striker Aleksandar Prijovic as he charged through on goal.

The recipient of the young player of the month award will now miss the team’s trip to play the second-place Central Coast Mariners next Friday.

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