Phoenix beat Victory with brilliant strike from Barbarus

Costa Barbarouses celebrates scoring the winning goal for Wellington Phoenix in an A-League match against Melbourne Victory at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on November 24, 2024.
Photo: AARP / www.photosport.nz

A goal from veteran Costa Barbarouses gave Wellington Phoenix a 1-0 win over A-League leaders Melbourne Victory in the Unite round in Sydney.

It was Barbarouses’ 96th A-League match, all the more satisfying as it was against his former club – and indeed, the club that denied Phoenix a place in the 2023 finals with a late goal in Wellington.

A win would take Phoenix to the top of the table, usurping victory there, but Auckland’s match against MacArthur later on Sunday could put the new club back at the top.

Barbaruzes’ left-footed strike from Marco Rojas in the 82nd minute was all the more satisfying for coach Giancarlo Italiano given he had to start the game without regular defenders Tim Paine and Sam Sutton, who were injured. Matt Sheridan and Nathan Walker were replaced by Oscar Van Hattum, who took up the full-back position.

Melbourne had two chances to level the score after the goal, but goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi’s diving save prevented Bruno Fornaroli’s free kick, while they failed to convert another Fornaroli try with two minutes remaining.

Victory had the best result in the first half: they had 10 shots on goal (although only two were on target) to Phoenix’s two, with Daniel Arzani looking especially dangerous for them.

It was Phoenix’s solid defense that frustrated Melbourne in the second half in the Sydney heat and Barbarouses, one of the game’s best players, ultimately made them pay.

Barbarouses said he was very proud of the team.

“We just keep doing it,” he told Sky Sport.

According to him, it was hard work in hot conditions, but the team adapted very easily.

“We might be a little rusty at times, but we’re just hanging in there.

“There’s always room for improvement, but look, we got three points and we’re happy.”