The Wellington Phoenix have been beaten 3-2 by Shillong Lajong in their final tour match at Shillong’s Nehru Stadium in India.
Four games in nine days seemed to have taken it’s toll on the Phoenix, who produced a lacklustre fast half display.
However, it was the Phoenix who opened the scoring when Jeremy Brockie scored a glancing header within the first five minutes.
But by halftime the Phoenix were trailing 2-1 after Shillong’s Friday Gbenene scored both goals.
Coach Ricki Herbert must have given his team some inspiring words as they came back out in the second half re-energised.
The A-League side created plenty of chances but could only manage a Paul Ifill penalty to level the score 2-2.
Shillong on the other hand only had one shot in the second half, but it was all that was needed as it flew into the top corner of the net.
“We got a good workout today, especially in the first half, which was what we needed,” Herbert said.
“It has been a tough trip but we got four good games under our belt and finished the tour with no injuries.
The Phoenix leave Shillong early tomorrow morning and arrive back in Wellington, minus Herbert and six All Whites and Solomon Islands representative Benji Totori, on Tuesday afternoon.
3 News/Presser