Phoenix have eye on long-term AL goal

Oct 22, 2017 - 3:29 AM Wellington Phoenix have just one point from their first three A-League matches but coach Darije Kalezic's eyes are still set firmly on the end-of-season spoils.

Melbourne City inflicted a second loss of the season on the Nix on Saturday, Ross McCormack's thunderous 68th-minute free kick the difference between the two teams.

After opening the season with a 1-1 draw against Adelaide United, Wellington have now recorded back-to-back losses.

While frustrated with the results, Kalezic was nonetheless optimistic about Wellington's prospects for the season.

"I didn't leave Europe to show the A-League how good we can play only," he said.

"I left Europe, and my career in Europe, to try and win the trophies.

"My bar is really high. I don't want misunderstanding -- I'm a coach who wants to take everything that I can.

"I will do everything until the end of the season to be there where we are able to play for the trophies."

The Phoenix are notoriously slow starters and Kalezic was at pains to point out after Saturday's defeat that his approach to the season was realistic.

He said the emphasis was on developing players, which was never going to happen quickly.

"This is a process, like any other process. We are changing a new page with the club," he said.

"We know what we're doing, we make a choice for the new vision but it's going to take time.

"This isn't something that's surprised us, or put us down."

Eighth on the table after three games, Wellington are home for their next match against Brisbane Roar next Saturday.

Source: AAP