Wellington Phoenix get one final chance to revive their season this afternoon when they host Adelaide United, a side mired in their own mid-season slump. We’ll have minute-by-minute updates from 2.30pm AEDT.
The inconsistency of all six sides below the top four has left the possibility of a finals berth open for Wellington, but with each week bringing continued mediocrity it is hard to see them taking it.
If anything can turn their fortunes around it is the considerable advantage the Phoenix have built at Westpac Stadium. They play here this afternoon and then host sixth-placed Newcastle on Wednesday evening, and two positive results mean Ricki Herbert’s side would again be in finals contention.
They won’t get a better chance than here against an Adelaide outfit ready for the taking, heading across the Tasman having lost four from their past five matches.
Michael Valkanis undoubtedly needs to be given more time to implement his own methods on the team, but the situation is becoming more urgent given there is only six matches remaining before the finals.
The eight-point break they currently hold over fifth-placed Sydney should ensure the Reds hold onto fourth spot and a first-round home final, but they’ll make no imprint on the A-League championship race the way they’re travelling now.
In this situation it should ordinarily be easy to tip Wellington at home, but this team inspire little confidence in that result and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the points shared.
Cappuccino
Roar Guru
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Chad Bennett
Editor
Wellington will remain bottom on 21 points, six points adrift of Newcastle in sixth, while the Reds will move above Melbourne Victory on goal difference. That will be all from this, next up we have Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill stepping out for Sydney FC against Melbourne Heart.
Chad Bennett
Editor
FULL TIME: Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Adelaide United So, a valiant performance in the end from Wellington to earn a point after trailing for most of the second half. They might have gotten lucky with the goal in the first half, but sustained pressure in the leadup to the second goal was rewarded by Gameiro's sweet volley. In the context of their season not really enough for the Phoenix, but they get another chance on Wednesday night when they host Newcastle, a side with a questionable record in the land of the long white cloud. For Adelaide, more laissez-faire defending means they again throw away points, and they'll now be without Jon McKain next week after he was sent off for two yellows cards.
Chad Bennett
Editor
90 + 5′ Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Adelaide United One final wave of attack for the Phoenix...they try several miracle balls into the eighteen but it amounts to nothing, and Adelaide will take the throw in. Should be about it.
Chad Bennett
Editor
90 + 4′ Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Adelaide United One minute to go here in Wellington. The home side really need all three points but it looks like they will have to settle for only one.
Chad Bennett
Editor
But he doens't and the ball falls to Ben Sigmund, who wins the header but cannot direct it on goal.
Chad Bennett
Editor
90 + 4′ Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Adelaide United 13th corner of the afternoon for Wellington. Surely it's time for Paston to come up?
Chad Bennett
Editor
90 + 3′ Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Adelaide United As they have done several times this afternoon, the Phoenix create a turnover within the Reds back four and Brockie is driving at the box with options, but he can't make a decisive move and the scrambling Reds defence can clear.
Chad Bennett
Editor
90 + 1′ Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Adelaide United Good news for Nix fans, with FIVE minutes to be added on. On the pitch they have a corner, which is taken by Bertos but it is well overhit and it trickles over the byline on the opposing side.
Chad Bennett
Editor
90′ Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Adelaide United Bertos' turn to drive down the flank, this time the right, in search of space to turn a cross in toward Gameiro and Brockie. He can't find that space though, and it is sliced over for a goal kick.
Chad Bennett
Editor
87′ Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Adelaide United That's nice from the substitute, Tyler Boyd. Cuts past Golec, and then schools Cassio before getting the cross over, during which Ifill fouls and the play is stopped. while Malik lays prone on the ground and requires treatment. In case you haven't noticed, it's all Wellington at the moment. Time is becoming scarce, though.
Chad Bennett
Editor
86′ Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Adelaide United GALEKOVIC!! Might be prone to the odd brain explosion but Galekovic is a quality keeper. This time he is tipping a shot from the edge of the ara from Paul Ifill, keeping his side in the game. From the corner, Huysegems is able to head down toward goal but he hits it too well, and it bounces over the bar for a goal kick.
Chad Bennett
Editor
85′ Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Adelaide United GREAT strike off the right from Corey Gameiro, and this time it is Galekovic who is scrambling, knocking the ball over for a corner. He's done well there. Wellington with all the momentum now, plenty of time for them to find the winner.
Chad Bennett
Editor
84′ Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Adelaide United Adelaide still have plenty in attack, and Vidosic calls Moss into action, turning a header from near the penalty spot at goal, forcing the Phoenix keeper into a diving save.
Chad Bennett
Editor
82′ Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Adelaide United Louis Fenton has been replaced by Tyler Boyd. Meanwhile, Carrusca is down for Adelaide and there is a chance for both sides to catch their breath after a frenetic five or so minutes.
Chad Bennett
Editor
It's 2-2! Corey Gameiro finds the net with a volley from close range, great finish though from the young man. With ten to go, plenty to play for now!!!
Chad Bennett
Editor
80′ Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Adelaide United THERE IT IS!!! WELLINGTON GOAL!!!
Chad Bennett
Editor
Adelaide defend the initial but only as far as Brockie, who hits a bouncing ball hard, but straight at Galekovic. A metre either side, and that's a goal.
Chad Bennett
Editor
78′ Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Adelaide United He's been great this afternoon. Nearly 80 minutes in and Ifill is still driving into the box. Adelaide defend, but Wellington will get the corner...
Chad Bennett
Editor
77′ Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Adelaide United And there is one of the cracks. Ball from the left comes in from Carrusca and Kostopoulos darts in front of his defender and turns a bouncing left-footed shot toward goal. Just wide. Good effort, could have killed the game there for the Reds.