Jaushua Sotirio has overcome a first-half blooper reel to score a brace and earn Wellington Phoenix a 3-1 win over Macarthur FC.
RECAP: A-Leagues on Sunday as Sotirio shines in ALM
The maligned forward netted twice in seven minutes as the New Zealanders secured a win on the country’s national day, surging them from bottom of the Isuzu UTE A-League table to seventh.
The Nix led through Reno Piscopo’s 12th minute penalty but were pegged back when former captain Ulises Davila struck Macarthur an equaliser – his first goal since a contentious off-season move to Campbelltown.
Macarthur had momentum as the Johnny Warren Medal winner departed the stage shortly after, only for Sotirio to steal the limelight.
The 26-year-old used his ferocious pace to score in the 71st and 78th minutes, securing Wellington’s first back-to-back wins of the campaign.
Piscopo’s opener came after wideman Craig Noone clumsily ran into Sam Sutton in the corner of the box for a clear penalty.
Sotirio’s intervention all the more surprising given his lacklustre first half, which began when he strayed offside to miss out on a simple tap-in from a Filip Kurto save.
He spooned high and wide when clear free on goal, and made mincemeat of silver service from Sam Sutton, heading a curling cross over from five metres out.
Still, Wellington went to the break ahead at Campbelltown Sports Stadium courtesy of Piscopo’s spot kick – earned when Craig Noone clumsily bundled over Sam Sutton in the corner of the box.
The Olyroo fired the Phoenix ahead with a low spot kick which just evaded the diving Filip Kurto.
Macarthur warmed back into the contest and finished the half stronger, Sail making a double-save from Davila and Aleksandar Susnjar to keep the Nix ahead.
Sotirio fired a warning shot of what was to come – volleying onto the post – before Macarthur equalised.
Teenage centre back Finn Surman, on his full debut, was robbed in possession, allowing Daniel De Silva to race clear and cut back for Davila, who struck firmly past Oliver Sail.
Then came the Sotirio show.
For his first, the former Wanderer stole possession in his own half and raced free, restoring the Nix lead despite Kurto getting a glove to his effort.
Shortly after, he cashed in by controlling a Sutton long ball and curling home into the bottom corner of the net.
The result leaves Macarthur – which returned to action on Tuesday after five weeks out due to COVID-19 delays – in sixth.