It was supposed to be a Melbourne Victory celebration, but Wellington Phoenix spoiled the party with a stunning 3-2 win at AAMI Park yesterday.
Kevin Muscat’s men had the opportunity to move to the top of the table with a win in Archie Thompson’s 200th A-League game, but the never-say-die Phoenix denied them, coming from behind twice before Nathan Burns tapped in the winner in the 77th minute.
Both sides showed a willingness to get players forward in an entertaining high-tempo contest, but Victory had the better of the early exchanges and were left to rue their failure to convert several gilt-edged scoring opportunities, including a penalty.
Besart Berisha did well to chest a high ball down and volley a powerful shot that drew an excellent save from Glen Moss in the eighth minute. But the Albanian striker hit the left post with his low spot kick after Ben Sigmund’s clumsy tackle on Mark Milligan drew a yellow card and a penalty after 17 minutes.
Gui Finkler hit the crossbar and Kosta Barbarouses had only the advancing Moss to beat. But he couldn’t and the home crowd’s frustration grew before Scott Galloway finally released the pressure in the 34th minute. The 19-year-old followed his cross from the left into the box and lashed his low shot through the legs of a defender and an unsighted Moss to give his side a deserved lead.
Phoenix had been playing with great endeavour without giving Victory keeper Nathan Coe too much to do. But their work was rewarded with a superb free kick from Rolieny Bonevacia in the 42nd minute.
With the Victory wall standing on the edge of the box, the Dutchman curled his shot into the top-left corner to send the sides into half-time deadlocked.
Victory turned up the heat after the break and deserved to go ahead in the 53rd minute when Barbarouses coolly converted from close range after being set up by Carl Valeri.
But with the champagne on ice, Muscat’s men were inexplicably unprepared for a set piece in the 68th minute when Michael Boxall wandered in behind their defence to head home Bonevacia’s free kick.
The scene appeared set for Thompson when he was sent on in the 73rd minute, but a quick counter-attack by Phoenix again caught Victory napping. Boxall squared the ball to Burns who scored with the simplest of tap-ins.
Victory pressed hard but couldn’t find a way through as Ernie Merrick’s side held on for a memorable win.
Round 19 results:
Melbourne City 3-1 Adelaide United
Newcastle Jets 0-0 Central Coast Mariners
Western Sydney Wanderers 3-4 Sydney FC
Perth Glory 2-2 Brisbane Roar
Melbourne Victory 2-3 Wellington Phoenix
Source: AAP