Krishna sets Phoenix record in draw with Perth Glory
Roy Krishna created Wellington Phoenix history as his side drew 1-1 with league-leaders Perth Glory at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.
The Fijian flyer scored his 34th goal for the club, taking him past Paul Ifill as Phoenix’s greatest-ever goalscorer.
Phoenix looked on course for victory until a contentious red card to substitute Ryan Lowry gave Glory the impetus to find an equaliser.
It came soon after as Diego Castro came off the bench to score and ensure Glory remain unbeaten after six rounds.
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Glory came into the clash nine points and eight places above Phoenix on the ladder but it was the home side that dominated the first half.
Nathan Burns missed an early chance to put Phoenix in front when he scuffed a shot when one-on-one with Liam Reddy, while the Glory keeper made a couple of smart saves to deny Mandi and Burns.
Phoenix lost keeper Filip Kurto to injury midway through the half after the Pole was stretchered off after a heavy collision with Glory striker Andy Keogh.
The incident didn’t slow the home side down and they deservedly took the lead just before the break through Krishna.
Burns made up for his early miss with his incisive pass blocked by a Glory defender but it went straight into Krishna’s path and the Fijian slammed his shot past Reddy.
Glory improved after the break but Wellington seemed in control until substitute Ryan Lowry was sent-off for a studs-up tackle with 15 minutes after intervention from the VAR.
It gave the visitors a boost and they made it count eight minutes from time through their super Spaniard.
Chris Ikonomidis did brilliantly to wriggle clear of two defenders on the right wing before driving into the box and passing to Castro, whose shot went through the legs of two players on its way into the net.
Despite some close shaves late on, Phoenix held on for a hard-earned point, as Glory maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
