Wellington Phoenix can finally breath a sigh of relief, clinching their A-League playoff berth with a 1-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Macarthur in the last round of the regular season.
After six weeks without a win and teetering on elimination, the Phoenix have nailed the result they needed with a goal to Oskar Zawada in the 11th minute and held their rivals out, despite only 35 percent of possession.
"We got the goal we needed and we defended desperately," observed coach Ufuk Talay. "We were quite professional in the way we defended our goal, which is something we haven't done in our last five games, so we're pleased with that.
"We got the outcome we needed to make the finals football."
Talay fell short of open celebration, probably annoyed it took so long to achieve something that seemed a foregone conclusion a month ago, with a home playoff fixture a distinct possibility. That prospect was dashed by five games without a win, as a 17-5 scoring deficit sapped Phoenix confidence.
"You want to build confidence by winning the game, and it was important for the players that we get the three points and feel confident for the next game," said Talay. "Overall, I was happy with the attitude and application of the players, which we've lacked in the last five games."
The Phoenix scored their goal, when Yan Sass slipped a pass through the retreating Macarthur defence, David Ball couldn't beat advancing keeper Filip Kurto, but the ball bounced to a wide open Zawada, who made no mistake with his right foot.
The result puts Wellington six points clear of Perth Glory, Western United and Newcastle Jets, none of whom can catch up, regardless of remaining results this weekend. Locked into sixth place, the Phoenix will now face third-placed Adelaide, whose form has also fallen away in recent weeks.
Adelaide lost 4-1 to Central Coast Mariners on Friday and haven't won in their last four outings.
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Zawada) Macarthur FC 0
