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Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC 28 – Sept – 2008
Phoenix stun Sydney FC
Wellington Phoenix have jumped off the bottom of the A-League ladder after an upset 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Sydney FC 2-1 at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.
In front of an increasingly delirious home crowd in Wellington, the Phoenix finally rediscovered goalscoring form to record their first win of the season.
With the scores tied 1-1 at the break, the Phoenix reaped the reward for some uncompromising defence and enterprising midfield play when Tim Brown planted home the winner after 76 minutes.
Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert made a swathe of changes from the team who suffered a drab 1-0 loss to Perth last week, forced to some degree by injury and illness.
Midfielder Richard Johnson took over the captain’s duties for a flu-stricken Andrew Durante, while defender Manny Muscat came in for David Mulligan.
With defender Jon McKain unavailable, a rearranged back line included All White Ben Sigmund and Karl Dodd.
Mark Paston started in goal for an injured Glen Moss, while striker Vaughan Coveny partnered Shane Smeltz up front.
Although the Phoenix started tentatively, a revitalised midfield and the dual options of Smeltz and Coveny up front gave them options on attack.
However, Sydney looked the more assured from the outset, working the ball well through the midfield, with Steve Corica constantly finding space to pressure the Phoenix defence.
Right back Shannon Cole also caused problems for Wellington, particularly from set play, and it was his ball into the box after 20 minutes that Alex Brosque latched on to unchallenged.
Brosque’s looping header floated over the reach of Paston and the Phoenix were back in familiar territory, a goal down and on the back foot.
But with Leilei Gao providing some extra midfield spark, the Phoenix found an extra gear in the closing minutes of the first half.
Tony Lochhead slotted in a pinpoint cross for Smeltz, unmarked at the near post, who climbed high to head the ball past Sydney goalkeeper Clint Bolton in the 42nd minute.
The Phoenix came out strongly in the second half, but it was an innocuous challenge from Coveny two minutes into the spell that provided the most heart-stopping moment for the 7000-strong home crowd.
Referee Peter Green brandished the red card to widespread disbelief before realising his mistake and showing the more appropriate yellow card.
The Phoenix kept pushing forward until Brown, his head bandaged after an earlier clash with Sydney striker Brendan Santalab, left an unsighted Bolton sprawling to secure an unlikely lead.
Wellington kept attacking in the final stages, then held on for three long minutes of extra time for the win.
28 September 2008 | 16:18 – AAP
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/phoenix-stun-sydney-fc-140290/
Duration : 0:3:13
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