Kraev leads Nix to win over Western

Bozhidar Kraev inspired the Wellington Phoenix to an impressive 3-0 win over Western United in Launceston, Tasmania, last night.

The 25-year-old Bulgarian helped set up the first goal, scored the second and won a penalty for the third as the Phoenix snapped a three-game winless run and climbed to fifth in the A-League.

Kraev gave an early taste of what was to come when he played a delightful through ball which put Yan Sass in on goal inside the opening 10 minutes but Western keeper Jamie Young saved.

Sass made amends when he gave the visitors a 19th-minute lead, cutting onto his left foot and firing into the bottom corner from outside the area.

The Brazilian’s shot capped a sweeping length-of-the-field move started by Steven Ugarkovic in his own penalty area which involved Kraev twice in the build-up.

The second goal around the hour mark was all Kraev. He picked up the ball on halfway and drove into enemy territory; six touches later, he curled the ball into the top corner from outside the area for his seventh goal of the season.

Six minutes later, Kraev gave the Phoenix the chance to wrap up the match when he won a penalty, fouled by Tongo Doumbia.

Wellington had missed all four of their previous penalties this season, including Sass and Oskar Zawada in last Sunday’s loss to Macarthur FC.

Zawada stepped up, Young got a hand to the ball but there was enough power in the Pole’s shot for him to celebrate his ninth goal of the season. Zawada and Kraev are third and fourth in the Golden Boot standings.

Western struggled to create much. There best chance of a 78th-minute consolation was foiled by an outstanding reflex save from Oli Sail.