SYDNEY - A slice of Brazilian brilliance further boosted the Wellington Phoenix's A-League soccer stocks as they upset defending champions Melbourne Victory.
Midfielder Daniel's solo effort three minutes from fulltime secured a 2-1 win in their Pre-Season Cup matchat Melbourne's Olympic Park onSaturday.
It means the Phoenix will
play Newcastle in Wellington on Friday in the playoff for fifth, their final shakedown before hosting Melbourne in the A-League season opener on August 26.
"Things are coming together very nicely," coach Ricki Herbert said. "We've had some [injury] issues throughout the pre-season, but I'm extremely happy with how things are developing."
A fortnight after beating another Australian powerhouse, Sydney FC, 3-0 at home, the Phoenix silenced the Olympic Park crowd of 4100 in cold, wet conditions.
With the scores locked at 1-1 and injury time looming, Herbert's Brazilian connection provided an early dividend on his investment. Daniel scythed past two defenders before drilling a left-footed shot past Victory goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos from close range.
Daniel is one of four Brazilian players signed by Herbert to bring some attacking flair to the side.
He had earlier laid on the Phoenix's first goal in the 52nd minute when he hit a quick free kick into the Victory's penalty area and All White Shane Smeltz controlled the ball before guiding it past Theoklitos.
The Phoenix trailed 0-1 at halftime after an own goal from defender Karl Dodd in the 34th minute.
Melbourne Socceroo Archie Thompson drove a shot across the face of goal and Dodd tried to hit the ball to safety but turned it past his own goalkeeper, Glen Moss.
Former Victory midfielder Michael Ferrante was another key performer for the Phoenix, and his corner nearly led to the equaliser just before the break when defender Steven Old cracked a shot against the woodwork.
Herbert labelled it a "comprehensive performance, right across the park".
- NZPA
