A Gael Sandoval winner ensured Wellington will make their long-awaited return to New Zealand in the A-League Men top six after a 1-0 victory over last-placed Perth.
Mexican Sandoval’s strong 48th minute shot from just inside the area took at least one deflection on its way past Perth’s milestone man Liam Reddy. who was making his 400th Australian domestic league appearance.
The win at Sydney’s Netstrata Jubilee Stadium lifted Wellington one spot to fifth above Sydney FC and left them just one point behind Adelaide, who have played two more games.
Phoenix, who haven’t played in New Zealand for more than 300 days, will host matches in Wellington and Auckland.
Glory, whose ranks have been devastated by injuries, suffered a fourth straight defeat and are winless in their past 13, having lost 10 of those games.
A number of Perth’s younger players, including debutants Jacob Muir and Chris Donnell, weren’t even born at the time 40-year-old Reddy started his senior career.
Wellington were dominant in the first half, when they had 70 per cent of possession in rainy conditions.
Perth worked hard and defended well to deny them close range opportunities.
Phoenix had eight shots in the first 45 minutes but Reddy was called into action just twice, saving efforts from Sandoval and Jaushua Sotirio.
Sandoval’s goal galvanised Perth, who after failing to have a shot in the first half fired in three off target efforts in the two minutes after going behind.
Antonee Burke-Gilroy powered a 71st minute shot over the bar just seconds before being substituted and substitute Callum Timmins went close with an 89th minute long range shot.
Perth’s already extensive injury list grew by two with Trent Ostler coming off in the 35th minute and Jack Clisby in the 57th.
RE-LIVE: PERTH GLORY 0-1 WELLINGTON PHOENIX, AS IT HAPPENED
By Matt Comito for KEEPUP
89′: CHANCE! Timmins fires just wide (0-1)
That was agonisingly close for Perth, with Callum Timmins getting forward to threaten Oli Sail’s goal, but missing the target with Glory’s best chance of the night.
48′: GOAL! Sandoval scores for Wellington (0-1)
Just minutes into the second half, Sandoval has broken the deadlock.
The Mexican was quickest to react to a deflected shot which skimmed across the penalty area to drive a first-time shot past Reddy into the back of the net.
HALF-TIME: PERTH 0-0 WELLINGTON
There’s nothing to split the two teams at the break.
31′: CHANCE! Piscopo fires wide from free-kick (0-0)
Reno Piscopo threatened Reddy’s goal with a curling free-kick which whipped just past the top-left corner.
27′: Anasmo looking dangerous for Perth (0-0)
After an early spell of Phoenix dominance, Perth are poking around in search of an opener with Joshua Anasmo getting busy in and around the penalty area.
Two chances have fallen to Ansmo in quick succession as Perth try to break the deadlock.
17′: SAVE! Sandoval tests Reddy (0-0)
Sandoval lets fly off his left peg from outside the box, but Reddy tips it over the bar.
7′: CHANCE! Ball fires wide (0-0)
David Ball is picked out by Gael Sandoval with a cross into the box, but the Englishman’s shot goes wide.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
We’re underway in Kogarah!
TEAM NEWS
PRE-MATCH
Former Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory forward Eugene Dadi joined KEEPUP to reflect on his emotional Perth split and why a brief but brilliant spell in Wellington ultimately became the last stop in his football career.
