In a thrilling Unite round clash in Sydney, veteran Kosta Barbarouses’ 82nd-minute left-footed goal propelled the Wellington Phoenix to a 1-0 victory over A-League leaders Melbourne Victory.
The win was particularly sweet for Barbarouses, playing his 96th A-League match against his former club, which had dashed Phoenix’s 2023 finals hopes.
Despite missing key defenders Tim Payne and Sam Sutton, coach Giancarlo Italiano’s revamped lineup stood resilient, with goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi denying two late Melbourne attempts.
The Phoenix’s defensive grit in the second half and Barbarouses’ decisive strike earned them the league’s top spot, at least temporarily, pending Auckland FC’s later game.
