Inexperienced Phoenix stun Wrexham AFC
- Dave Worsley
- Jul 19
- 2 min read
A young and inexperiencedl Wellington Phoenix have shocked Wrexham AFC to end their Down Under Tour.
The underrated Phoenix won the pre-season friendly 1-0 in Wellington in front ofaround 25,000 spectators.
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Phoenix academy centre forward Luke Flowerdew, 19, gave the home side the lead just after halftime with a well-executed gaol.
Wrexham, newly promoted to the English Championship looked stunned as they then chased a goal at the other end of the park against a depleted A-League team.
Stand-in captain import Kazuki Nagasawa led the Phoenix who were missing game time. However Nix coach Giancarlo Italiano made 10 changes in the second half with the majority of players from the Academy squad.
Wrexham also made plenty of changes in the second half against a Phoenix team which appeared more enthusiastic at appeared quicker on the fast break.
Missing for the Nix were captain Alex Rufer, fellow All White Tim Payne, defender Corban Piper, experienced midfielder Paulo Retre, goalkeeper Alby Kelly-Heald and forward Nathan Walker, all out for various rasons while new signing Ifeanyi Eze was yet to arrive in Wellington.
For Wrexham who have signed All Whites defender Libby Cacace it was the end of their Down Under Tour where they beat A-League side Melbourne Victory 3-0 last week, before they lost 2-1 by a young Sydney FC team on Tuesday night.
Their first game in the Championship season is against Southamption Saturday 9 August.
The Phoenix play a pre-season Australia Cup game against Perth Glory 27 July.
