The Wellington Phoenix recovered from a 2-0 halftime deficit to secure a 2-2 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers at CommBank Stadium, but frustration centred on a disputed second-half penalty decision that could have changed the result.
Goals from Bill Tuiloma, scoring his first A-League goal and golden boot leader Ifeanyi Eze completed the comeback after Western Sydney had taken control through Ryan Fraser and Phillip Cancar.
Despite VAR prompting a review, referee Adam Kersey declined to award a penalty after Matt Sheridan was brought down, leaving Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano questioning the decision-making process.
The result moves Wellington up to 10th, three points outside the top six, with Italiano encouraged by his side’s second-half response and substitutions as they now turn focus to the upcoming New Zealand derby at Sky Stadium.
