Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson says a lack of quality in the final third was the reason why his side suffered a narrow 1-0 loss away to Wellington Phoenix in Auckland.
Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson says a lack of quality in the final third was the reason why his side suffered a narrow 1-0 loss away to Wellington Phoenix in Auckland.
Jeremy Brockie’s goal just before half-time was the decisive moment but Ferguson feels Perth Glory had enough chances to collect a point.
“The difference was that little bit of quality in the last third,” Ferguson said.
“That final pass or cross which we just didn’t deliver well enough.
“I thought we matched the Phoenix and had three really good chances to deserve a draw.
“But that has been the trend in the last 6-7 weeks so it’s very disappointing.”
After Chris Harold squandered a great chance on the counter attack in the first half, Ferguson’s tactical switch in the second half when he brought on Steve Pantelidis as a defensive midfielder to release Liam Miller and Steven McGarry almost created the equaliser.
“When Pantelidis came on, we moved Travis to the right and Harold through the middle and we controlled the ball a lot more with Miller and McGarry.
“I thought we got three really good chances with Nagai and Harold linking well,” the coach added.
While the equaliser did not arrive, Ferguson is hopeful Shane Smeltz will return next week to lead the attack.
“Smeltz is that quality we lacked.
“He’s the A-League’s all-time leading striker, and a player who could’ve been on the end of those chances today.”
