Wellington Phoenix Shocks Sydney FC with 2-0 Victory

At Allianz Stadium on March 10, 2024, Wellington Phoenix delivered an impressive performance, defeating second-placed Sydney FC 2-0. With goals from Carlo Armiento in the 29th minute and Isaac Hughes in the 63rd minute, the Phoenix secured their third consecutive unbeaten match. This victory draws them closer to the leaders, Auckland FC, now just six points behind in the A-League Men standings.

The match shifted dramatically when Sydney midfielder Rhys Youlley was sent off just before halftime for a severe tackle on Ramy Najjarine. Youlley’s dismissal left Sydney struggling to regain control, playing with only ten men for the remainder of the match.

New signing Bill Tuiloma made his debut for the Phoenix, coming off the bench in the 75th minute to bolster the defense. Tuiloma, who has returned to New Zealand after a lengthy career overseas, is aiming for a spot in coach Darren Bazeley‘s World Cup squad.

The Phoenix opened the scoring through a free-kick taken by Armiento. His shot deflected off the Sydney wall, catching goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares off guard. The second goal came from Hughes, who capitalized on a cross from captain Alex Rufer, marking his second goal in as many matches. Hughes celebrated by kicking the corner flag emblazoned with the Sydney FC logo, an act that stirred displeasure among the home fans.

Despite the absence of regular goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi, coach Giancarlo Italiano relied on 18-year-old Eamonn McCarron, who has shown commendable form. McCarron’s strong performance included a critical save against Sydney’s Tiago Quintal and the ability to handle pressure from Ben Garrucio.

Sydney FC believed they had pulled a goal back in stoppage time, but the effort was ruled offside, maintaining the clean sheet for McCarron.

The victory lifts the Phoenix to eighth place, just two points shy of the top six, with a game in hand. This win also benefits Auckland FC, as a Sydney victory would have seen them leapfrog to the top of the league.

Looking Ahead for Wellington Phoenix

The momentum is building for the Phoenix as they prepare for their next challenge. They will face Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium on March 15, 2024. The Jets, currently in third place, previously defeated the Phoenix 3-1 in December and are riding high with four wins in their last five matches. A victory for Wellington could see them enter the top four, further solidifying their resurgence in the league.

With the recent additions to their squad and key players returning from injury, the Phoenix appear poised for a strong finish to the season.