22 Feb 2010

Phoenix win first play-off

6:38 pm on 22 February 2010

The Wellington Phoenix has kept their A-league football title hopes alive after a nail-biting 4-2 penalty win over Perth Glory at Westpac Stadium.

A record 24 thousand strong crowd cheered the Phoenix to a 1-nil lead in the first half, but Perth struck back in the second to level the scores in the 66th minute.

Despite several attempts on goal by both sides, the scores stayed locked for the remainder of the regular time, forcing the sides into 30 minutes of extra time.

The Phoenix went down to 10 men after losing defender Jon McKain to a second yellow card, but neither side was able to break the deadlock and it came down to a penalty shoot-out.

The Wellington keeper Liam Reddy kept his cool and made two saves, while the Phoenix penalty takers all netted their efforts to secure the club's first play-off win.

The win means they progress to the next round of semi-finals in two weeks time, when the Phoenix will meet Newcastle in another knock-out match at Westpac Stadium.