Phoenix nick a point with stoppage-time penalty
If ever a draw feels like a victory, it’s this one.
The Wellington Phoenix pulled off a remarkable escape against Melbourne Victory last night, thanks to a 96th-minute penalty by captain Alex Rufer.
The 1-1 result was scarcely believable, given the Phoenix played the entire second half with 10 men after Tim Payne’s red card on the stroke of halftime.
That left the Phoenix in survival mode, as they hung on grimly for most of the second period before a streaky Melbourne Victory goal in the 79th minute.
Melbourne looked home, before a clumsy challenge on substitute Oskar van Hattum deep in injury time, with the referee pointing to the spot after a VAR review.
Under pressure, Rufer then produced a nerveless finish to maintain Wellington’s position at the top of the table.
Victory may feel aggrieved after a couple of tough calls but the courageous effort will do wonders for the belief among the Phoenix.
It had promised to be a grand occasion — the first time in A-League history first versus second place had met in Wellington — and drew the biggest Phoenix crowd of the season (9139).
But the home side never really clicked into gear in the first half,
lacking their usual offensive flow before the match turned with Payne’s dismissal.
The All Whites fullback was perhaps frustrated after a couple of late challenges earlier in the first half but
his lunge was reckless, after a heavy touch. Initially shown yellow, it was upgraded to red by referee Daniel
Elder after a VAR review, which showed studs-up contact on Zinedine Machach.
At that point, the Phoenix were fortunate not to be behind. First, Victory midfielder Nishan Velupillay missed a great chance from barely a metre out, as Daniel Arzani’s cross skimmed across the six-yard box with the defenders stranded.
Moments later, Velupillay made amends, with a crisp driven finish inside the near post after the home side couldn’t deal with another Arzani intervention.
But the goal was scratched — after a lengthy VAR review — with Chris Ikonomidis judged offside, though there was only centimetres in it.
With their fluid passing and movement, Victory dominated the first half, with Arzani particularly dangerous, and they were confident to play through the Wellington press. The Phoenix lacked their usual precision and verve in possession, with their touch letting them down.
Half chances fell to Kosta Barbarouses and Ben Old, while Bozhidar Kraev was close to a Payne cross, but there weren’t sustained spells of pressure.
With 10 men, the Phoenix moved to two banks of four, with Kraev moving into midfield and a lone striker up front. They sat deeper as the half progressed — but it worked — as Victory grew frustrated, with Scott Wootton and Finn Surman superb.
Melbourne finally struck through Connor Chapman. It was a touch fortuitous as it deflected in from a shot that was going wide but was reward for their intent.
Victory had seemingly secured their win, until the late drama, with van Hattum upended by Jason Geria as he pursued a long ball.
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Alex Rufer penalty 90+5)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Connor Chapman 79)
Halftime: 0-0.