KEY POINTS:
Wellington Phoenix shook off the tag of A-League soccer pretenders last night, stunning Sydney FC 2-1 for their first win of the season.
Thanks to a brilliant solo effort from Brazilian import Felipe and a penalty from compatriot Daniel, the Phoenix finally opened their account in the fourth
match of their short existence against the league's glamour club.
The visitors hit the lead late in the first half and never surrendered as the international-laden home side rushed forward late in the match for the equaliser.
It took brave defence and a gutsy save by Glen Moss of a Robbie Middleby shot 10 minutes from fulltime to cling on.
Sydney were overwhelming favourites, with Australian bookmakers offering A$6 on a Phoenix win.
The hosts welcomed back goalkeeper Clint Bolton and Alex Brosque from Socceroos duty, and Australian under-23 pair Mark Milligan and teammate Ruben Zadkovich.
The Phoenix conceded a soft early goal in the sixth minute when defender Tony Lochhead tried to clear a speculator but hammered it into the chest of Adam Casey, who followed through and finished from close range.
But it took just two minutes for a Phoenix reply, and it was one of the best individual efforts the Hyundai A-League will see.
Felipe got the ball in space 40m out, beat two defenders, including Milligan, and rifled a left-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area which gave Bolton no chance.
It was a welcome drought-breaker for the Phoenix, who were kept scoreless by Central Coast and Newcastle.
The Phoenix defence, led by Karl Dodd, was more solid and captain Ross Aloisi became a key presence in the midfield as the visitors grew in confidence and the hosts looked disjointed.
Wellington went 2-1 up in the 28th minute when Sydney's Ruben Zadkovich felled Daniel in the area with a clumsy shoulder charge after a through ball from Michael Ferrante.
Memories of Daniel's penalty miss in the season opener against Melbourne were cast aside as he coolly slotted his first, and second, attempts after referee Matthew Breeze ruled Phoenix players broke early.
Ferrante again created space and found Shane Smeltz, who fired left just before halftime and the Phoenix had a rare spring in their steps.
It seemed it could be their night when Dodd failed to clear and Brosque's shot from 10m cracked the woodwork 15 minutes into the second half.
The 11,500-strong crowd roared for three Sydney penalties as attackers hit the turf but Breeze and the Phoenix defence stood firm as the minutes counted down.
- NZPA
