26 Nov 2015

No disciplinary action over elbow to Sigmund

9:48 am on 26 November 2015

The Wellington Phoenix are disappointed there'll be no punishment for the Western Sydney player who left defender Ben Sigmund concussed in their A-League match at the weekend.

Sigmund collapsed early in the second half of the 2-1 loss and had to be helped from the field.

It was initially thought he was suffering from the ill-effects of a virus but it subsequently turned out to be concussion, from an apparent elbow from Federico Piovaccari.

Coach Ernie Merrick says the match review panel have decided no action will be taken however against the Western Sydney player.

Phoenix defender Ben Sigmund.

Phoenix defender Ben Sigmund. Photo: Photosport

"I'm a bit disappointed but I find its best not to dwell on it. Make a case, the director of referees has a look at these things and then we all move on."

"I don't think it affected in any way shape or form the outcome of the game, so I am not looking for any excuses because there are none," said Merrick.

The Phoenix play Sydney tonight, in Sydney, with Vinnie Lia set to replace Sigmund at the centre of defence alongside skipper Andrew Durante.

Winning away from home though appears to becoming an issue for the Phoenix - again.

Failure to beat last season's grand finalists Sydney FC tonight in Sydney would be a fourth consecutive away match without a win for the Phoenix.

Merrick was disappointed with his side's committment when it came to battling for possession against Western Sydney and wants a major improvement.

"Our ability to retain possession of the ball was very poor. A lot of the time we started to resort to a long ball or fast break type attack and you can't purely rely on that. You've got to have at least two methods of attacking. At least one short passing, possession game and the other a fast break and that's where we've been working (this week)."

Sydney are winless in their last three matches but have won six of their last eight matches against the Phoenix.

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