Phoenix await fate of Plate
Capital club finish with win but must now await outcome of Central Coast’s final match to determine top spot
Heading into their match at home against Macarthur FC last night, the equation for the Wellington Phoenix was simple: If they were to claim the Premiers Plate for the first time in club history, they had to win.
Two goals in a 10-minute period in the first half set them up to do just that, with Oskar Zawada adding a late penalty to see the Phoenix claim a 3-0 win in their final game of the regular season.
And now, they wait.
Had the Jets been able to beat the Central Coast Mariners in Newcastle — a game played at the same time as the Wellington clash — the Phoenix would have finished top of the ladder; the plate was even in Wellington in case those events transpired.
However, a 3-1 win to the Mariners means their final regular-season game against Adelaide United on Wednesday night will decide who wins the Premiers Plate. A draw will be good enough for the Mariners to finish on top.
The Phoenix ended the season with 15 wins and 53 points, both club bests.
Last night’s performance was something of a mixed bag from the Phoenix, with some dominance early and late sandwiching a period when they were under plenty of pressure.
They started strongly, constantly finding space in behind the Macarthur defence.
The visitors were allowing their hosts plenty of room to travel with the ball, Macarthur showing little urgency on defence to try and dispossess their opponents. Phoenix players seemed to have almost too much time on the ball and were caught in two minds between shooting and trying to pick out a teammate.
While fairly even in terms of possession and shot attempts in the first half, the Phoenix had by far the better opportunities and opened the scoring through the reliable boot of Kosta Barbarouses in the 22nd minute.
The lead was doubled seven minutes later when Ben Old picked out Tim Payne after standing up a cross to the far post, the fast-arriving fullback powering his header in off a Macarthur defender.
Leading 2-0 at the break, the Phoenix were under pressure for much of the second half.
Macarthur, who came into the match looking to secure fourth place with a win or draw, began to find space to attack.
The Phoenix responded by throwing plenty of bodies behind the ball and kept out the visitors through scrappy clearances or the work of keeper Alex Paulsen.
After withstanding that pressure, the Phoenix had the better of the final period and extended their lead in injury time through Zawada, who coolly converted from the spot.
Regardless of what happens between Central Coast and Adelaide on Wednesday, the Phoenix are guaranteed a top-two finish, affording them a bye in the first round of the A-League playoffs next weekend.
Wellington Phoenix 3 (Kosta Barbarouses 22, Tim Payne 29, Oskar Zawada 90+2 pen) Macarthur FC 0. HT: 2-0.