Soccer: Phoenix do enough to keep their play-offs hopes alive

Paul Ifill of the Phoenix. Photo / Getty Images

It was another of those "can do better" affairs but in scrambling to a 1-1 draw, courtesy of a sublime 80th-minute Paul Ifill strike, the Wellington Phoenix maintained the momentum heading into the play-offs.

For the first 45 minutes at AAMI Park on Saturday the Phoenix were awful. Sloppy passing, possession meekly surrendered and scrambling defence to stymie wave after wave of Melbourne Heart attacks left coach Ricki Herbert despairing.

Led by their inspirational captain Fred, who played three games as a guest for the Phoenix in the 2008-09 season, the home team had the Phoenix on the back-pedal.

Only some wayward finishing and quality work from Andrew Durante, Ben Sigmund and goalkeeper Mark Paston kept the Phoenix castle intact.

There were three calls for penalties - two for hand ball (one each team) and a clear miss by referee Peter Green when Ifill was brought down in a tackle from behind by Fred.

Crucially, the Phoenix maintained their five-point advantage over Melbourne Heart in fifth and need only another point from their final two games to guarantee a home semifinal.

"It wasn't a bad result, to be honest," Sigmund said. "It could have been worse. You take that point and run. At least we are still five points ahead of Melbourne Heart.

"That point helps because if we had lost it could have been a lot worse. Considering how poorly we played in the first half, we could have been two or three down. To be only one goal down at halftime and to come back, I think it shows the character in this side. We could have actually pinched it as well."

Ifill again proved saviour and felt he was hard done by in having what seemed a legitimate call for a penalty ignored.

"They have to get these big decisions right," said a frustrated Ifill.

The result was a disappointment for the modest 6759-strong crowd as a win for John van't Schip's side could have all but sealed their play-off spot.

Wellington remain in Melbourne, where they will meet the Victory on Friday night. A win in Victoria has eluded the Phoenix in 10 games in the state but they are confident after winning four and drawing another of their last six away games.

Additional reporting APNZ