Wellington Phoenix marked their 500th Isuzu UTE A-League match with a dramatic 2–2 draw against Melbourne City, surrendering a two-goal lead in a costly five-minute lapse.
The Phoenix looked in control after a brace from Ifeanyi Eze, which briefly lifted him to the top of the golden boot standings, but City struck twice midway through the second half to level the match.
Wellington pushed hard for a winner late on, only for Manjrekar James to see his stoppage-time penalty saved by City goalkeeper Patrick Beach. Head coach Giancarlo Italiano said the result was defined by a short loss of concentration rather than the missed penalty, as the Phoenix were left to settle for a point in a match they largely controlled before turning their focus to next week’s Waitangi Day clash with Melbourne Victory.
