One more hurdle to grand final for Phoenix

BY FRED WOODCOCK

This was sporting drama worthy of any stage.

So much so it's hard to imagine how yesterday's pulsating A-League thriller could have been any better.

And the best part for Wellington Phoenix fans is that their team is now just one match away from the grand final after overcoming the gallant Newcastle Jets 3-1 in extra time at a sun-drenched Westpac Stadium before a record crowd of 32,792.

They will play Sydney FC in Sydney this weekend for a spot in the March 20 final but, for now, they are basking in the glow of a tremendous day for the club and another home finals match packed with drama at every turn.

Everyone played their part and more, but there were heroes as the Phoenix won their fifth match on the trot.

Paul Ifill did everything but score a goal until his extra-time strike finally broke the deadlock.

Andrew Durante was a mountain at the back, thwarting counter-attack after counter-attack for 120 minutes, while Liam Reddy was Mr Reliable again.

The four All Whites – Tim Brown, Ben Sigmund, Tony Lochhead and Leo Bertos – ran themselves to a standstill by making contributions they can all be proud of just two days after playing against Mexico in Los Angeles. Hometown hero Brown also scored the first-half equaliser, the goal that would ultimately keep the Phoenix in the hunt.

And the substitutes played their part, too.

Daniel's crossing, in particular, was a highlight throughout the second half and the catalyst for Eugene Dadi's icing-on-the-cake goal in extra time.

"It was just another chapter for the club tonight," Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert beamed as his players were greeted by euphoric family and friends outside the stadium and fans drove past tooting their horns. "I just have belief in these boys, there's always something they can deliver.

"Again, the chances were coming our way and Paul probably had a real gift to finish it off [in regulation time] and he didn't, but we responded."

Herbert had special praise for his four All Whites.

Brown, Sigmund and Lochhead all played 120 minutes, while Bertos was at his dynamic best for 66 minutes.

"Outstanding, and I think they need the credit they quite rightly deserve.

"There's just such an application with these boys. I don't think any of them tired. I'd hate to track the distance Tim Brown covered today, it was just a phenomenal performance."

Durante added: "There's such a good camaraderie in the team, we don't want to let each other down. It would have been so easy for the Kiwi boys to [make excuses] but they never once said, `Dura, I'm a bit tired, can you cover.'

"That rubs off on the whole team. There's no reason why we can't go all the way."

Durante, who almost single-handedly kept his team in the match with a series of clutch tackles as the Jets broke with pace and precision, said the cacophony created by the crowd pulled the team through in extra time.

"When things got tough they got behind us and I hope as many of them can travel next week, because we're going to need them again.

"They've been superb all year and I can't speak highly enough of them. There's no secret why we've been so good at home."

He had a simple message for his team heading into extra time – dig deep.

"When it goes to extra time like that, it's nothing but a mental game. I just told them no matter what they're feeling, they've got to do that extra tackle, that extra hard yard and don't let your team-mates down.

"I thought they were fantastic. You would have thought some of the Newcastle boys had done the trip to Mexico.

"We lifted and we had some counter-attack chances toward the end, which showed how strong we finished."

SCORING SUMMARY

20th minute: Phoenix fail to clear a cross and Jets midfielder Jobe Wheelhouse's looping header catches a static back four napping as skipper Matt Thompson surges behind the line and buries a close-range drive.

33rd minute: Phoenix equalise as Chris Greenacre, Paul Ifill and Tim Brown combine for a true team goal. Greenacre holds off his defender and delivers a cross to the back post. Ifill initially unleashes a volley goalward, then turns the rebound inside for Brown to score.

105th minute: Brown sees Ifill to his right, supplies him the ball then Ifill takes a touch and buries the goal the Phoenix are looking for.

115th minute: A goal for the substitutes. Daniel finds Diego with a pinpoint cross and the Brazilian slips the ball in front of Eugene Dadi, who taps in from close range.

- © Fairfax NZ News