Wellington Phoenix captain Annalie Longo (left). Photo: Photosport
The Wellington Phoenix women have succumbed to their sixth one-goal defeat of the A-League season after conceding a contentious goal from a corner in the 62nd minute.
The Phoenix went down 1-0 to the Brisbane Roar in their round 14 match at Perry Park in Brisbane on Sunday night, despite having the better of much of the football match.
The Phoenix had the majority of possession and had 22 shots to Brisbane's seven but Wellington couldn't find the back of the net.
Grace Kuilamu put Brisbane in front in the second half when she nodded home from a yard out after Phoenix goalkeeper Carolina Vilão appeared to be fouled.
Phoenix head coach Paul Temple felt his side deserved more.
"I am really proud of the team ... I thought the performance was good. We came to a really tough place and we played really well and essentially dominated most of the game," Temple said.
"Defensively we were good and in possession it was really us creating all of the momentum and chances.
"It's just a shame that we've walked off without any points, but if we play like that for the rest of the nine games of the season then we're going to win a lot more games."
And Temple believes the Roar's goal should not have stood.
"When you look at the replay it is a very, very clear foul on the goalkeeper. Everyone knows it's a foul ... the only people that don't think it's a foul are the officials.
"There's a sense of injustice and it's really difficult to take when those things ultimately end up deciding the game.
"It was a sucker punch and it took the wind out of our sails and changed the momentum of the game, [and] gives them momentum, belief and something to hang on to."
The result means the Phoenix remain eighth and are now three points adrift of the top six.
The Wellington Phoenix return home today to prepare for Saturday's match against high-flying Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park.
