Auckland's Albert Riera (left) and Team Wellington's Henry Fa'arodo tussle at Kiwitea St yesterday. Photo / Natalie Slade
In a match that had everything, Auckland City's inspirational captain Ivan Vicelich coolly provided the winning touch three minutes into stoppage time to hand his team a super-charged 3-2 triumph over a 10-man Team Wellington at Kiwitea St yesterday.
It was the only time in the round five ASB Premiership
catch-up game that the home team were in front after they had twice stared at a second loss in four days at the ground.
On the shot count, City were miles ahead but inexplicable miss after inexplicable miss - including a fluffed penalty - left them playing catch-up against a team who played the last hour one short after captain and former Auckland City player Adam McGeorge was sent off for a studs-up tackle.
Even that caused some controversy, with Team Wellington coach Matt Calcott adamant his player's foot made contact with only the ball. "Perhaps the referee was a little trigger happy," said Calcott. "I'm very, very proud of how we played. The downside is that we are almost certainly out of the playoff race."
Opposing coach Ramon Tribulietx was again frustrated by the number of chances which went begging.
