Wellington Phoenix triumphed over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park for the first time since 2017, with a late goal from Sander Kartum sealing the win.
The match was a tense affair, with the crowd at AAMI Park forced to wait until the 88th minute for a moment of brilliance from Sander Kartum, who volleyed home the only goal, marking Wellington Phoenix’s inaugural away victory against Melbourne Victory since April 2017.
This breakthrough win propels Wellington into seventh place, just one point shy of Macarthur in the playoff positions. Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory’s unbeaten streak comes to an end at seven games, leaving them in fourth place.
The visitors started the match with greater intensity, and their best opportunity during this phase occurred when Kazuki Nagasawa’s corner kick sailed past the crowd at the near post. Corban Piper, engaged in a tussle with Nikos Vergos, managed to flick the ball against the crossbar with his foot.
It wasn’t until the 15-minute mark that the hosts had their first chance as Juan Mata—still nursing an awkwardly dangling left arm from a previous fall—set up Keegan Jelacic. The latter managed to evade his defender but ultimately dragged his shot wide of the target.
Wellington could have taken a well-deserved lead just before the halftime whistle when Ramy Najjarine cleverly back-passed the ball to Piper. However, the latter’s left-footed volley drifted just past the far post.
Chances were scarce in a frustrating second half, with the first significant opportunity arising after 80 minutes when Bill Tuiloma found himself unmarked. Yet, when Sander Kartum’s corner landed on his head, the centre-back failed to connect properly, sending the ball wide of the back post.
With only two minutes remaining, the visitors finally broke the deadlock as Ifeanyi Eze turned provider, drifting to the left and delivering a curling cross that Sander Kartum met with a delightful volley, which ricocheted in off the post.
Seventeen-year-old substitute Luke Brooke-Smith had a golden opportunity to secure the victory in the third minute of stoppage time when he made his way into the penalty area, only to skew his shot wide from close range.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Compiled by SportArena.au
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