Wellington Phoenix star Oskar Zawada’s streak has continued, with the striker scoring the only goal of the game in a crucial win over Sydney FC.
The Nix withstood huge second-half pressure at Auckland’s Eden Park on Sunday for a much-needed win as the race for the Isuzu UTE A-League finals heats up.
Zawada was the difference, scoring a towering first-half header for his 12th goal of the campaign, and his ninth in 10 games.
In the 21st minute, Lucas Mauragis crossed to the lumbering number nine, who easily jumped over Socceroos left-back Joel King to head home.
Zawada had been considered doubtful for the match, with his wife due to give birth to their first child on Saturday.
“The fact he played this game shows how much commitment he has to this team,” captain Alex Rufer said.
“He’s been massive for us.”
The Polish striker gave an update post-game as to whether he had heard any news, but also spoke about whether it had been a “challenge” to stay focused during the lead-in.
“Yeah, still waiting. I turned off my phone before the game, so we will see after the game but I think we have to wait a few days, maybe,” he told Sky Sports New Zealand.
“It’s a part of life. I mean, nobody cares at the end of the day.
“If you travel, if you have a baby if you have a bit of problems, nobody cares. That’s why I’m used to it. I know how I can turn off my head before the game to prepare for the game and I just do my job and now I can focus on my family.”
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While Robert Mak struck the inside of the post early, Wellington deserved their half-time lead, and could have been further ahead.
David Ball had a header cleared off the line and a Yan Sasse long shot had Andrew Redmayne diving at full stretch.
However, the pendulum swung towards the visitors after the break as the Sky Blues bossed possession, territory and chances.
Tim Payne was lucky to avoid a penalty after stepping across Mak as he ran through the box.
For the second straight week, Wellington coach Ufuk Talay abandoned his forward-first tactics to throw on an extra centre back for an attacker.
It produced another win, his side clinging on against a finals-hunting rival, with sixth-placed Sydney FC going the way of seventh-placed Newcastle last weekend.
Those results put the Nix on track to play finals. They are now seven points clear of seventh with six matches to play.
In hindsight, Sunday’s outcome was statistically predictable.
Wellington have opened the scoring in 16 of their 20 matches – more than any other club – while Sydney FC have conceded more first-half goals than any other – 19.
And given Zawada’s form, few can be surprised at his return.
The 27-year-old’s strike puts him alongside Jason Cummings in the golden boot race, six behind runaway leader, Jamie Maclaren.
“I mean, nobody gives me goals for free and I know I have to be in a good position and also fight for this goal,” Zawada said.
“I also had to battle with two defenders to jump and score. So I work hard for the goals but hard work pays off and I’m very happy with that.
I’ll try to continue this. I’m still not happy because I didn’t score two goals today!
The result gives Talay a second 1-0 win over his former employers this year, after a madcap win at Allianz Stadium in January in which Wellington finished with nine players and Adam Le Fondre – who was missing on Sunday – miss two late penalties.
It also preserves and lengthens Wellington’s unbeaten run at their second home, Eden Park, to 10 matches.
Sydney captain Alex Wilkinson said the Mak penalty appeal was “a good shout”, but he was still confident of playing finals with the Sky Blues sitting sixth.
“I thought we were on top for the whole game,” he said.
“We lacked that quality in the front third to break them down … we have to be better.”
