Some heroics from Roy Krishna has seen Wellington Phoenix record a remarkable 2-0 upset win over Melbourne Victory.
Krishna slotted an incredible goal in the 18th minute from the tightest of angles and then helped to set up Roly Bonevacia in the 44th.
A scoreless second half saw the Phoenix outlast Victory and claim their fourth win of the season.
Final score
Wellington Phoenix 2
Melbourne Victory 0
The Wellington Phoenix host Melbourne Victory at their home away from home, Auckland’s QBE Stadium. Join The Roar from 5pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
The Phoenix need to get their season back on track, having only won once in their last five league matches, and a win could see them catapulted into the top six.
The Phoenix have played five of the top-six teams so far for one win and three draws.
The Victory meanwhile make the trip across the Tasman following a comfortable win over Adelaide United last week. Melbourne have won four successive league matches, to sit comfortably on top of the table.
Fans can almost be guaranteed of seeing a goal fest, with an incredible average of four goals per match in their last ten meetings between these two.
The last time these two met, in Melbourne earlier in the season, the Victory flexed their muscle at home to win 3-0.
However the Phoenix may have turned the corner defensively, keeping the Sky Blues out last week in a performace that led to praise for their defensive efforts. This defensive endeavour will need to continue, as Wellington have conceded six goals in their last two meetings against the Victory.
In team news, Wellington welcome Ben Sigmund into the side, after a virus saw the defender miss out last week. The Phoenix are also elevateing 23-year-old Kwabena Appiah into the first team.
The Victory are making two straight swaps, with George Howard and captain Carl Valeri making way for Connor Pain and Thomas Deng. Valeri, who started as a substitute last week, misses out due to illness.
History certainly favours the Victory, with Melbourne coming out on top in four out of the last five meetings between the two sides.
This shapes as an attacking game, with both teams determined to hit the scoreboard early and apply pressure. If you like goals, then this game is for you.
Prediction
Victory continues to impress.
Victory 3-1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
Match Report. This was hyped up to be a very attacking and exciting contest and it did not fail to disappoint. Some great passages of play from both teams saw quite an entertaining contest in Auckland, with the Phoenix coming on top, certainly making a bold statement. Wellington certainly made their intentions clear early as they dominated much of the first half, not allowing the Victory to get into their stride, as the Phoenix controlled much of the play. Wellington were rewarded for their persisitence as Krishna opened the scoring from an unthinkable angle, pouncing on a Victory turnover and finding the smallest of gaps to slot home the opener. Tensions then rose as Besart Berisha and Andrew Durante went head to head, exchanging tackles on each other. The Phoenix certainly rattling the Victory in the first half, as they did not let the league leaders dominate them, as they had done in previous meetings. The Phoenix then doubled their lead, with Krishna involved yet again, setting up Bonevacia who scored right before the break. The Victory lifted greatly in the second half, having numerous golden chances to get back into this match, only to be kept out by their inaccuracy and goal keeper Glen Moss, who in his 100th match kept excellently. This win is quite significant for the Nix, being only their fifth against the Victory in 27 meetings. The three points certainly turns the table on its head, as the Phoenix jump into the top six on fourteen points, as the Victory will lose their top position this evening, remaining on sixteen points. Things are certainly getting tight at the top end of the table. At the end of the day, it was the Phoenix who prevailed, with the duo of Krishna and Bonevacia causing a whole heap of trouble for the Victory. Both the Phoenix and the Victory face arduous challenges next week. The Nix travel to Brisbane to face the Roar, whilst the Victory travel to Sydney to face the Wanderers. At full time, it was Wellington that was victorious in Auckland. Wellington Phoenix 2 ( Krishna 18' , Bonevacia 44' ) def. Melbourne Victory 0
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Good effort by Nix in getting a 2-0 win, but it has to be said that both Nix goals had no shortage of comedic value attached to them (and the MV defenders and vuka should hang their head in shame for allowing two goals in circumstances where the Nix were barely controlling the ball).
Midfielder
Guest
The BT's beaten should make the Drive By V Red Neck match even more interesting...
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
Full Time. The referee blows for full time with the Phoenix holding on against the league leaders, in what was a very important victory for the Phoenix. Wellington 2 Victory 0
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
95' Barbarouses goes into the book for a late bump, the frustration certainly showing from the Victory.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
There are now effectively 7 teams playing for the top six spots, with the Nix well and truly in the mix.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
94' Inside the last minute and it looks as though the Phoenix are in control here in Auckland.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
93' The Nix win a free kick, they will not be in any hurry to take this.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
91' Barbarouses sends in a ball which just misses the head of Berisha. Was that their last chance to salvage a point? Wellington 2 Victory 0
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Nix getting their defensive structures spot on, cutting out the angles, cutting off the through balls, blocking all crosses - very impressive.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
90" There will be 5 minutes added onto this match. Is there enough time for the Victory? Wellington 2 Victory 0
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
89' The Phoenix making their final change. ON: Sigmund. Off: Krishna.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
87' Both teams making changes. Victory. ON: Pain OFF: Mazi Wellington. ON: Rufer OFF: Bonevacia Wellington 2 Victory 0
Mister Football
Roar Guru
MV thought they had a corner, ended up being a goal kick, frustration builds up for MV.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
87' The Victory win a corner. It's taken quickly by Finkler and met by Georgievski at the near post, who heads it out for a goal kick. Glen Moss goes into the book for what the referee believes is time wasting. Wellington 2 Victory 0
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
85' The Phoenix make the first change of the match. ON: Sarpong OFF: McGlinchey. Surprising that both managers have left it late to make a change. Wellington 2 Victory 0
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
83' The Victory win a free kick in a dangerous position. Finkler sends the ball in, touched on by Barbarouses onto the back post, where it is met by Khalfallah, unmarked at the back post, who fails to get his header on targer. Wellington 2 Victory 0
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I heard the commentators talk about the pitch - clearly MV have not adapted to it because they are not looking themselves - although much credit must go to the Nix.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
80' Inside the last ten minutes of play and the Phoenix maintain their two goal lead here in Auckland! It's set to be a frantic last ten minutes of play. Wellington 2 Victory 0
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Credit to the Nix, they've managed a few attacking forays the last few minutes - adding to MV's frustration no doubt.