Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Joanna Guelas

Phoenix stretch ALM lead with late win over Wanderers

Wellington's Kosta Barbarouses (r) scored one and set up the other in a 2-0 win over Western Sydney. (Masanori Udagawa/AAP PHOTOS)

Kosta Barbarouses has scored in added time to lift Wellington to a 2-0 victory over Western Sydney and keep the Kiwi outfit locked on top of the A-League Men.

Saturday's game at Sky Stadium looked to be heading for a scoreless draw, until two moments of Barbarouses magic swung things the Phoenix's way.

Following on from his double in Monday's win over Macarthur FC, Barbarouses' left-footed shot flew past goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas in the 91st minute to put Wellington 1-0 up.

Not content with that, the scorer turned provider barely a minute later with a clinical pass setting up Ben Old, who put the game beyond doubt.

The win ensured Wellington remain top of the table ahead of next week's trip to face former boss Ufuk Talay, who is now in charge of Sydney FC.

Ben Old of Wellington Phoenix
Ben Old scored one of Wellington's two added-time goals in their late ALM win over Western Sydney. (Masanori Udagawa/AAP PHOTOS)

"The game is never done until it's over," Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano said after the match.

"Today's game was very cat and mouse. I said to the coaching staff at the beginning of the second half 'I hate watching this game', because both teams knew exactly what they were doing.

"It's bad to watch but you know, sometimes these games - when you have two defensive-minded teams like that - (a dramatic finish) happens a lot."

The game came to life four minutes before the halftime break, when Nicolas Milanovic had the Wanderers' first shot at goal with a well-placed effort.

Wellington goalkeeper Alex Paulsen dived to stop Milanovic's shot, but the ball deflected straight to the feet of Dylan Pierias and it was only due to the quick thinking of Finn Surman that the Wanderers were denied.

At times it was a tense and nervy affair, Wellington's resolute defence withstanding everything a Western Sydney side missing Brandon Borrello, Milos Ninkovic and Josh Brillante could throw at them.

The Wanderers - who came into the weekend program sitting third in the table - will soon lose first-choice keeper Thomas to the Socceroos' Asian Cup campaign but coach Marko Rudan believes his charges can keep up the pace.

"We've had players out through injury or suspension and whatnot ... we try to deal with it," Rudan said.

"You ask any coach, it's not ideal, because you want to have the same 11 as often as possible.

"We haven't been able to do that, but it doesn't matter.

"It just means that somebody else gets an opportunity. Next week I dare say it'll be a new keeper that gets an opportunity."

Wellington's best chances came on the break and they thought they had taken the lead five minutes from time when Bulgarian striker Bozhidar Kraev hit home.

His joy evaporated quickly when the goal was disallowed for offside, but Barbarouses had no such trouble when he snuck the ball past Thomas to put Wellington ahead in added time.

Old inflicted further damage to wrap up victory for the Phoenix and leave the Wanderers five points adrift of top spot.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.