6 Dec 2010

Phoenix win in Christchurch

7:59 am on 6 December 2010

The Wellington Phoenix have come back to beat Adelaide United 2-1 in Christchurch, moving into the A-League football playoff places.

A last-minute header from defender Ben Sigmund sealed all the points for the home side.

Trailing 1-0 at half-time to the visitors after a 14th minute Sergio van Dijk goal, the Phoenix came right back after the break, Tim Brown tapping home a squared ball from Ben Sigmund.

Brown nearly had the winner in the 75th minute, after his shot was tipped onto the bar by the Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic and bounced back off the goal-line - and Brown nearly won it but for another great Galekovic save before Sigmund's last-ditch effort proved conclusive.

Adelaide's Travis Dodd was harshly sent off for an accidental kick in the head to Vince Lia in the final minutes, and Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert was sent to the stand at the death for protesting a refereeing decision.

The result moves the Phoenix up three places to fifth. Adelaide remain second.

More than 14,000 fans showed up at AMI Stadium, a Phoenix season record.