In-form duo set to light-up Victory, Phoenix clash on Sunday

There’s a lot to get excited about in Sunday’s clash between two of the Hyundai A-League’s most entertaining sides, Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix.

Not the least of which is the battle between two of the competition’s most in-form attackers in Victory’s Kosta Barbarouses and Phoenix flyer Ryo Krishna.

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GLOBAL RECOGNITION: Phoenix flyer in FIFA Team of the Week.

The pair have been running hot for their respective sides and have enjoyed a sensational start to 2019.

Since the turn of the year, Barbarouses and Krishna has really stepped things up in front of goal.

In fact, only Brisbane Roar’s Adam Taggart (eight) has more shots on target in January than Barbarouses (seven) and Krishna (six).

Opta table Barbarouses Krishna


Incredibly, Krishna’s six shots on target has come from just seven shots overall for four goals this month, for a shot conversion rate of 57%, the best in the Hyundai A-League.

Krishna has had twice as many shots on target in January than any other player and has improved his radar in front of goal, with a shooting accuracy of 86% this month.

Barbarouses’ shot conversion rate in 2019 has also improved sitting at 25% this month compared to 19% overall for the season.

The dynamic duo are also on track for their most prolific campaigns in front of goal if they can maintain recent form.

Opta table Krishna Barbarouses
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Krishna has scored four goals in his last two outings to take his tally to nine for the season from 13 appearances, needing just four more in the next 14 games to beat his previous season best of 12 two years ago.

Likewise Barbarouses, in his 10th campaign in the Hyundai A-League, who with seven goals in 14 matches needs only another six to beat his all-time best.


So while the pair may be coming to the twilling of their Hyundai A-League careers, they appear to be producing career-best form.

Whichever one has the better of it at AAMI Park on Sunday might just inspire their side to another massive three points.

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This article was originally published on the Hyundai A-League website.
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