Wellington Phoenix secured a significant 1-2 victory over Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium to strengthen their push for a finals spot, overcoming an early setback after goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi failed to deal with an in-swinging corner that deflected in for the opener.
The Phoenix responded strongly, creating chances before levelling in the 36th minute through Corban Piper, and continued to apply pressure with both sides trading key saves in the second half.
The decisive moment came in the 86th minute when substitute Luke Brooke-Smith delivered an inch-perfect pass for Ifeanyi Eze to coolly finish, while late controversy followed as Brisbane were denied a penalty despite a handball appeal. The win lifts Wellington to eighth on the ladder, just one point outside the top six, while Brisbane drop to tenth and further adrift of the finals race.
