Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Oskar Zawada scored Wellington Phoenix’s goal in their 1-1 draw with Perth Glory. (File photo)
At Macedonia Park, Perth: Perth Glory 1 (David Williams 22′) Wellington Phoenix 1 (Oskar Zawada 31′). HT: 1-1
Polish striker Oskar Zawada scored for the Wellington Phoenix for the second straight week in the A-League Men as they drew 1-1 against Perth Glory on Friday night.
His goal just after the half hour mark came after a first pass from his Brazilian teammate Yan Sasse left him loose in the penalty area.
Bulgarian midfielder Bozhidar Kraev made a quick run to create the goal, before passing to Sasse, who stood on the edge of the box and made a smart call under pressure to find his teammate.
Perth opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when former Phoenix forward David Williams sent a fleeting header past Oli Sail into goal after getting to the near post for centre-back Scott Wootton to clear Tunisian full-back Salim Khelifi’s cross from the right. Meet.
Zawada almost proved to be the villain of the play, as he headed the ball into his own crossbar while defending a late Perth corner, with Sail nowhere near.
Before that, he had two good chances to put the Phoenix in front on either side of half-time, but Perth goalkeeper Liam Reddy – another former Wellington player – was on hand to keep the scores level.
Sail’s biggest save came in the 66th minute, when he tipped a Jack Clisby free kick over the bar on the right.
The Phoenix made the long journey to Perth on Wednesday without young All Whites forwards Ben Old (hernia surgery) and Ben Waine (sickness) and also lost centre-back Tim Payne to a gastro-bug ahead of Friday’s game.
They are now unbeaten for three games, with two 1-1 draws last Saturday’s 3-1 win over Adelaide United at Sky Stadium.
The Phoenix will play in the A-League Men on January 2 at home to Melbourne City.