Wellington Phoenix have snapped their two-game losing streak after defeating Adelaide United 2-1 in a pulsating clash at Sky Stadium.
The home side made the breakthrough in the 13th minute as captain Alex Rufer ghosted in at the far post to side-foot home Kazuki Nagasawa’s in-swinging corner.
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Wellington came close to doubling their lead in the 32nd minute when striker Ifeanyi Eze wriggled his way into the box, however the Nigerian forward blazed his shot high over the bar in what was a huge let-off for the Adelaide defence.
Adelaide were inches away from levelling things up on the stroke of half-time as Yaya Dukuly unleashed a wicked strike from outside the box which was destined for the top corner before a deflection off Manjrekar James saw it fly pas the post.
At the start of the second half Carlo Armiento’s curling effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Adelaide keeper Joshua Smits who prevented it from being 2-0, however there was nothing the Dutchman could do to prevent Ramy Najjarine from scoring from the spot after Armiento was fouled by Bart Vriends.
Adelaide then thought they had the chance to pull one back from the spot when Dukuly went down inside the box however a VAR review saw the penalty overturned due to a dive by Dukuly, with the winger subsequently booked for a dive.
The away side did get their goal though and it was a moment to remember for 19-year-old Joey Garrucio. Almost immediately after coming on for his Isuzu UTE A-League debut, Garrucio broke through Wellington’s high-line and lashed the ball beyond ‘Nix keeper Josh Oluwayemi to make it 2-1.
Oluwayemi was almost then caught out via an incredible shot from Ethan Alagich, who attempted to lob the keeper from inside his own half and he almost did so, but thankfully for the Wellington number one the ball landed on the roof of the net.
With Adelaide now cranking up the pressure, Oluwayemi was forced into a brilliant one-handed save to deny Dukuly from inside the box as the game entered into six minutes of added time.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT THEY SAID
Hear from Wellington Phoenix boss Giancarlo Italiano in his post-match press conference.
Adelaide United head coach Airton Andrioli fronted the media after his side’s 2-1 loss to the Nix.
