While Wellington Phoenix must wait to learn their ultimate fate, there were still plenty of reasons to celebrate after their brilliant 3-0 win over Macarthur FC.
Playing in front of 15,428 rabid fans at Sky Stadium - most of them frantically refreshing their phones to keep tabs on the crucial result between premiership rivals Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets - the Phoenix emphatically upheld their end of the bargain in their final regular season contest.
The Mariners' 3-1 victory means they now sit a point shy of the Phoenix, with their final match of the season against Adelaide United on Wednesday now carrying the highest of stakes - the Premiers Plate.
Premiership or not, the campaign has already been recordbreaking for first-time head coach Giancarlo Italiano.
Saturday's win was the Phoenix's 15th of the season - their most ever - and takes Wellington’s points haul to 53 - seven more than their previous best.
"This probably won't sink it for a while with me," said Italiano. "I'm very proud of everyone that's worked here.
"From day one, we've always had big obstacles placed in front of us. We have a good club structure, good people and we've just got on with it.
"It's been no nonsense and the fact that we've come so far is testament to everyone."
The Phoenix ensured there'd be no nervous sweats from their vocal faithful. Kosta Barbarouses clinically finished after a sumptuous ball from Nicholas Pennington for the opening goal in the 22nd minute, before Tim Payne's header gave them breathingroom just seven minutes later.
Oskar Zawada's penalty in stoppage time put the finishing touches on a memorable night.
Central Coast need just a draw from their final regular season match against Adelaide United to claim the premiership. Given their recent form, Italiano doesn't hold hope that they'll slip up against their eight-placed opponents.
"It leaves a bit of a weird feeling," he said. "I don't know what it is.
"I'll watch the game, but I'm not going to go into the game with high expectations.
"I'm not going there thinking Adelaide are going to do us a favour, it's just whether the Mariners have the discipline to finish the season with a win.
"I don't see any evidence that suggests they're not going to win. Once we conceded late to them a couple of weeks ago, I thought that was the title."
After Wednesday night's result, Wellington Phoenix will also await the outcome of the elimination finals next weekend to determine who their semi-final opponents will be.
"I'm more focused on training now for the semi-finals," Italiano added.
"We have our awards night on Tuesday. It'll be a celebration of the club, of the achievements we've done this year and a good time to get together.
"Then Wednesday, I guess everyone will be watching where they're comfortable. It's going to be a late kickoff as well.
"I want the players in bed early, so we can train [the next day]."
