Wellington Phoenix will return home with a psychological edge over rivals Melbourne Victory, after battling to a scoreless away draw in the opening leg of their A-League semi-final.
Goalkeeper Alex Paulsen secured the 100th clean sheet in the club's 17-year history, called to make five saves. For the second time this season, his team earned a draw at Melbourne's AAMI without putting a shot on goal.
The home side dominated the attack stats, often lining up to apply the blowtorch to the Phoenix , but they could not crack the defence, despite camping in their half and outshooting the visitors 20-6.
Wellington's best chances came from isolated breakouts, but they were unable to test Victory keeper Paul Izzo.
They squandered an early chance, when Nicholas Pennington crossed in front of goal, but two teammates were unable to put the ball away.
Victory had the first three shots, sending the first two high and wide, before Bruno Fornaroli's left-footed effort drew a save from Paulsen.
The visitors had to withstand a period of sustained pressure, but in a rare foray into the Victory penalty box, Ben Old's deflected cross squirted away from Pennington at the far post.
Fornarelli had another shot deflected and had the rebound cleared from under his feet, before Jordi Valadon had his effort saved by Paulsen, who soon tested by Roly Bonevacia.
Wellington had a prime opportunity in first-half added time, with a corner floating long and the return ball successfully defused by Izzo.
At halftime, Melbourne had managed nine shots - three on target - to Wellington's three, with none of them drawing saves.
Phoenix survived an anxious moment, when Nishan Velupillay threaded a ball into goalmouth, but it was scrambled clear by Tim Payne. From the corner, the ball fell to Velupillay again, but his shot was smothered by Finn Surman and secured by Paulsen.
Wellington striker Kosta Barbarouses chased a long ball into the box and played back to Bozhidar Kraev, but his rightfoot effort stayed low and left.
Melbourne substitute Ben Folami fired from outside the box, but straight at Paulsen. Fornarelli also could not avoid the keeper from similar range.
Chris Ikonomidis unleashed from inside the area, but Surman was there again to block the shot. Ikonomidis tried to pull the ball from the byline into the goalmouth and it sat tantalisingly at the feet of four defenders, before it was cleared.
The Phoenix will now come home for Saturday's return leg in front of what they hope will be a big parochial crowd at Sky Stadium, knowing one goal may be enough to see them through to their first Grand Final.
Another draw would result in a tense penalty shootout.
Wellington Phoenix 0 Melbourne Victory 0
