The stage is set for the most important match in Wellington Phoenix’s club history as they prepare for the second leg of the Isuzu UTE A-League semi-final against Melbourne Victory at Sky Stadium on Saturday night.
Following a 0-0 draw in the first leg at AAMI Park in Melbourne, the Phoenix return home with their fate firmly in their own hands.
‘The most important thing is we have our own fate and destiny in our own hands,’ Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano said post-match.
‘I didn’t want to be like one or two goals down and then we’re chasing our tails. I wanted to go home with just a simple victory at home being enough to get us through, so we’ve done that.’
Italiano is enthusiastic about the home leg and urges fans to pack Sky Stadium. ‘I think the crowd is going to be the decisive factor. I want everyone to come out to the game, even if you have a faint interest. I’d love to have 34,000 at the game, that’d be unbelievable. Anything above 25,000 is going to give us an advantage, especially when those moments get tough. I’d love for our fans to come, sing for the whole 90, and just get us over the line.’
Italiano named the same XI that started the Phoenix’s final round win over Macarthur FC, with one change on the bench as fit-again centre-back Isaac Hughes replaced fullback Matt Sheridan.
The Nix started strongly, threatening within the first 10 minutes. Nicholas Pennington got behind Victory’s left-back Adama Traore in the fourth minute, but his cutback was cleared by right fullback Jason Geria.
Melbourne Victory had their moments but struggled to capitalise on their dominance. Striker Bruno Fornaroli registered the first shot on target in the 23rd minute, but Phoenix goalkeeper Alex Paulsen made the save.
The Phoenix had their chances too, with Pennington slicing a shot wide in the 31st minute and a scramble in the box soon after, but neither side could break the deadlock.
The second half saw both teams creating opportunities but failing to convert. Ben Old had two chances early in the half, while Victory’s Adama Traore, Ben Folami, and Fornaroli all missed the target during a 10-minute spell.
Finn Surman and Scott Wootton were solid in defense, blocking several shots to keep the Phoenix in the game. Italiano made tactical substitutions, bringing on Oskar van Hattum, Oskar Zawada, and Youstin Salas to reinforce the team.
Despite Victory’s late dominance in possession, the Phoenix held firm, securing their 12th clean sheet of the season and the 100th in club history. Now, all eyes are on Sky Stadium for the decisive second leg, where a home victory will propel the Phoenix into the A-League finals.
