A fantastic Rotorua crowd of over 3,500 turned up to watch the match between the two sides and were treated to an entertaining match with goals from Phoenix’s Stein Huysegems in the first half and Aaron Clapham for New Zealand ‘A’ in the second half.
With plenty of players on both sides looking to impress their respective coach, New Zealand ‘A’ started the brightest. In goal for the Phoenix, Jacob Spoonley saved well from Ivan Vicelich, Aaron Clapham, Matthew Ridenton and Jason Hicks in the early stages. Jeremy Brockie had the best chance for New Zealand ‘A’ after rounding Spoonley in goal, but Phoenix’s Manny Muscat did well to drag the forward wide and his shot nestled in the side netting.
At the other end of the pitch, new signing and Young All Whites Alex Rufer was foiled by Glen Moss when clean through and Junior All Whites Hamish Watson’s edge of the box curler was comfortably saved by Moss.
Louis Fenton was treated, and replaced in the 21st minute, for a dislocated shoulder, which could rule him out for six weeks. The injury disrupted the momentum for New Zealand ‘A’ and Wellington Phoenix took the lead just before half time. A through ball from Carlos Hernandez sent Huysegems through who calmly went round Moss and slotted the ball into the empty net.
The second half almost started with a bang for Phoenix as Huysegems again had the ball in the net but ruled out for offside. Instead it was New Zealand ‘A’ that stepped up for the second half and equalised within five minutes through Aaron Clapham. Leo Bertos did well on the right and pulled a cross back for Brockie to dummy, leaving Clapham with a simple finish to level the scores. Bertos, a more attacking threat in the second half, caused trouble for the Phoenix defence with the majority of New Zealand ‘A’s attacking threat coming from him.
Second half substitutions from both sides disrupted the games rhythm. Brockie came close to a winner for New Zealand ‘A’ with 15 minutes remaining but his volley sailed over the bar, and Boxall could have won it for the Phoenix but neither team could find a winner.
At Rotorua International Stadium
Sunday 22 September, 2013
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Stein Huysegems 37’)
New Zealand ‘A’ 1 (Aaron Clapham 49’)
Half Time 1 -0
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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