Two goals to young gun Sarpreet Singh has given Wellington Phoenix the perfect end to the Hyundai A-League season after a shock 2-1 win over Melbourne City in Auckland on Saturday night.
Despite falling behind to a Bruno Fornaroli screamer at QBE Stadium, two pieces of Singh brilliance turned the result around for the home side.
The win – in defender Scott Galloway’s 100th Hyundai A-League appearance – could see Wellington avoid finishing with the wooden spoon, leapfrogging Central Coast Mariners off the bottom of the table.
For City, it was a disappointing display as they lost a bit of momentum before their Elimination Final at AAMI Park next Friday night.
Warren Joyce’s side had won three in a row prior this defeat and also lost defender Scott Jamieson late-on with a possible hamstring injury.
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Wellington have finished off their season with a win over Melbourne City!#WELvMCY #ALeague pic.twitter.com/tiaAXTH9YT
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) April 14, 2018
STORY OF THE GAME
PHOENIX GO CLOSE: Against the run of play, Sarpreet Singh’s delicious cross found the head of Roy Krishna but his close-range header was somehow kept out by City keeper Dean Bouzanis.
GOAL! Fornaroli produces something special to give City the advantage.
GOAL! Singh’s excellent work in the box brings the home side level.
LET-OFF FOR CITY: Liberato Cacace’s went on a mazy run into the box and fired a shot off from a narrow angle, forcing Bouzanis into a vital save just before the break.
HALF-TIME: All square in Albany as a see-sawing content sees scores locked at 1-1 at the break.
FORNAROLI’S GLARING MISS: After driving into the Phoenix box, Nathaniel Atkinson’s cross found its way to an unmarked Fornaroli about 10-yards out but he blazed over the bar.
GOAL! Just before the hour mark, it’s that man Singh again, with his deflected shot putting Phoenix in front.
BOUZANIS STANDS TALL: Krishna and Burns combined in the box, with the Fijian forcing the City custodian into another superb reflex save midway through the half.
CITY PILE ON THE PRESSURE: As the minutes ticked down, City pressed hard for an equaliser but couldn’t find a way past a stubborn Phoenix rearguard.
OFF THE WOODWORK! In the final minute of stoppage-time former Wellington man Dario Vidosic almost snatched an equaliser but his header rebounded back off the post.
GOALS
Bruno Fornaroli: Melbourne City 20’ 0-1
From an incredibly tight angle to the left of the Phoenix box, Fornaroli unleashes a superb curling effort which went in off the far post. A stunning goal from the Uruguayan!
Sarpreet Singh: Wellington Phoenix 33’ 1-1
After Roy Krishna won the ball on the edge of the City box he linked with Matija Lujic who poked it to Singh in the box. The youngster showed great feet to turn a couple of defenders before shooting low past Bouzanis.
Sarpreet Singh: Wellington Phoenix 58’ 2-1
Singh drove at the heart of the City defence before getting a shot away from just outside the box. The strike deflected off Bart Schenkeveld, wrong-footing Bouzanis and sneaking in at the near post.
