Soccer: Brilliant Vukovic can't save Phoenix

Dylan Macallister of the Phoenix competes for the ball against Sebastian Ryall of Sydney FC. Photo / Getty Images

Sydney FC 2 Phoenix 0

The Wellington Phoenix will have to wait a little longer to have their place in the A-League play-offs confirmed.

Beaten by a fired-up Sydney FC at the Sydney Football Stadium last night, Ricki Herbert's team can still make the grade tonight if the Newcastle Jets, at home, don't beat Perth Glory.

But, on what they showed in the opening 45 minutes against the Asian Champions League-bound Sydneysiders, the Phoenix face an even bigger mountain if they are to get beyond the opening day of the finals.

A point from Sunday's home game with bottom-placed North Queensland Fury would - no matter happens tonight - book the Phoenix a spot in the top six.

From the kick-off last night, the Phoenix were on the back-foot as they attempted to stem wave after wave of Sydney attacks which stretched the re-jigged defence to breaking point.

But for some absolutely stunning saves from goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, it would have been embarrassing.

Vukovic was called on to pull off dramatic save after dramatic save to deny the rampant Sydney strikers, who had obviously targeted rookie defender James Musa as the weak link in a rear guard missing regular centre backs Ben Sigmund and captain Andrew Durante.

Juho Makela, Terry McFlynn and Hirofumi Moriyasu all challenged Vukovic with shots that would have tested, and probably beaten, even the best goalkeepers.

Somehow the Phoenix survived and created three half chances for Troy Hearfield, Dylan Macallister and Nick Ward and turned with the scores locked 0-0.

That resolution was somewhat cruelly ended eight minutes after the break when Musa brought Nick Carle down in a challenge.

Referee Peter Green pointed to the spot. Carle fired his attempt straight at Vukovic. The rebound fell to Carle, who snapped another. Vukovic again blocked but could only watch as that effort hit Ward and rebounded into the net.

The second goal, 15 minutes later, was more conventional.

Shannon Cole broke on the right, carved in and played the ball square through a flat-footed defence to Brendan Gan who, with his first touch, hit home.

Herbert went to his bench to give Waitakere United youngster Sean Lovemore his first taste at this level, but Aaron Clapham did not get any time as the clock wound down and Sydney were left to celebrate their second successive win over the Phoenix, who won the first encounter this season 2-1.