Wellington Phoenix reclaim top spot in A-League Men with win over Sydney FC

Saturday, 16 March 2024

At Eden Park, Auckland: Wellington Phoenix 2 (Hayden Matthews (OG) 54’, Kosta Barbarouses 69’) Sydney FC 1 (Robert Mak 6’). HT: 0-1

Wellington Phoenix beat Sydney FC 2-1 at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
The win extends their unbeaten run at the venue to 12 matches.
They move back top of A-League Men, three points clear of Central Coast Mariners.

Kosta Barbarouses starred as the Wellington Phoenix reclaimed top spot in A-League Men and basked in the support of their largest crowd of the season in Auckland on Saturday.

The newly-recalled All Whites forward created the equaliser and scored the winner against Sydney FC, one of his former clubs, in front of a crowd of 18,002 at Eden Park.

After the visitors took the lead in the sixth minute, the Phoenix had to dig deep, but ultimately prevailed 2-1, stretching their unbeaten run at the venue to a 12th match.

By maintaining that record - and by turning out their supporters in strong numbers - they have laid down a marker ahead of Auckland FC’s entry into A-League Men next season.

The Wellington Phoenix celebrate Kosta Barbarouses’ winner against Sydney FC.

Coach Giancarlo Italiano said he didn’t want to talk about that, as “they don’t still exist for me until next year”.

“The fact that we've got a good crowd means that we have a lot of supporters across the country. I'm very happy for the players that they experienced that because it's great to be part of.

“Crowds make games,” he finished, imploring Wellington to turn out for the Phoenix’s run home.

There was at least one Auckland FC fan in the crowd, as a man wearing their unreleased home kit made his way onto the pitch late in the second half and had to be escorted off.

Security remove a pitch invader wearing an Auckland FC shirt from the field during Wellington Phoenix’s win over Sydney FC.

Auckland chief executive Nick Becker said he was “not impressed” by the act. “I’ve genuinely got no idea,” how the fan had a shirt, he added, noting “we had a load made for the launch” of the club name last Thursday.

Italiano meanwhile quipped that the invader “was quick” and that he “was thinking about signing him”.

“Can play him as a winger.”

Sydney came out of the blocks the stronger side on Saturday, pinning the Phoenix inside their own half with the pressing game they have become known for under former Wellington boss Ufuk Talay.

Sydney FC forward Robert Mak wheels away in celebration after putting his side ahead against Wellington Phoenix at Eden Park.

They went ahead in the sixth minute when Robert Mak thumped a shot past Alex Paulsen, after Anthony Caceres won the ball with what looked like a foul on Nico Pennington and had his initial attempt blocked.

The Phoenix went in at halftime down 1-0 after Sydney had a second goal ruled out for handball and Italiano said he “wasn’t happy” at the break.

“I didn't think Sydney were unbelievable. I think they just capitalised on our mistakes and we didn't capitalise on theirs.

“When their second goal got called off by the VAR, I felt like the boys were like, ‘OK, right, we're still in this game’ and there was a bit of a shift.

“The second half we were more balanced, a lot better, and I think on a better day, we probably capitalise with three or four goals.”

Barbarouses created the first of the two the Phoenix did score when he played a ball across the face of goal for Bozhidar Kraev, which young Sydney defender Hayden Matthews poked into the back of his own net in the 59th minute.

Paulsen was called on to deny Caceres and Sydney substitute Fabio Gomes in quick succession from close range in the 61st minute, after pushing a header by Jordan Courtney-Perkins into the left post.

Barbarouses then netted his 11th goal of the season and his 91st overall in A-League Men, moving past his former Melbourne Victory team-mate Archie Thompson on the overall list, and within one of fellow All White Shane Smeltz.

Youstin Salas released Barbarouses in behind down the right, and he stayed cool to cut onto his left and finish past Andrew Redmayne in the Sydney goal in the 69th minute.

The Phoenix head into the international break three points clear of Central Coast Mariners, who now have a game in hand, but don’t play again until after it.

Up next

Six Phoenix players were due to head off to Egypt with the All Whites, for their matches against their hosts (9am next Saturday NZ time) and either Croatia or Tunisia (the following Tuesday or Wednesday).

But it is likely only five will make the trip, as right back Tim Payne came off early with an apparent hamstring injury on Saturday. Centre back Isaac Hughes suffered a hamstring injury as well.

The Phoenix’s next A-League Men match is against Brisbane Roar on Easter Sunday – a rare 1pm kickoff.