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The Wellington Phoenix have announced that Oliver Sail has signed a two-year extension with the club, locking him in through the 2022-23 A-League season following a break-out A-League season.
It’s something I’ve been wanting for a long time, the opportunity to play every week and win points for the Club.
Sail signed his first senior contract with the Phoenix in March 2017, making his A-League debut in March 2018 against Brisbane Roar and featuring in eight matches across the 2017-2019 seasons.
Since his promotion to No.1 goalkeeper in MW9 this season, Sail has started 16 matches between the sticks – making 73 saves, leading the competition with 4.6 Saves Per Game. He kept his first A-League clean sheet against Newcastle Jets in MW10, part of his four clean sheets this campaign.
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Wellington Phoenix have a lifeline in their A-League finals hunt after Tomer Hemed rescued a late point in Sunday s 2-2 draw at Premiership frontrunners Melbourne City.
Phoenix looked set for a ninth defeat of the campaign - one that would have surely dealt a crucial blow to their top six ambitions - when Jamie Maclaren curled in a gorgeous free kick on 81 minutes to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
Ufuk Talay s side had squandered a first half advantage after Hemed converted from the spot following Ben Garrucio s foul on Louis Fenton, with Naoki Tsubaki on hand to slide in an equaliser at the near post on 58 minutes.
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The hosts saw Ryan Strain sent off 16 minutes from time to dampen hopes of a late rally, with Carl Veart s men winless in four.
Adelaide are now six points behind City and have played a game more, with a trip to Melbourne to face their rivals next on the agenda.
Having been held to a goalless draw last time out against Western United, Adelaide started brightly and Stefan Mauk should have capitalised on Josh Cavallo s fine delivery, but instead miscontrolled when well placed.
Tomi Juric saw a strong header saved smartly by Oliver Sail as the home side pressed, but after a blank first half ambition had to take a back seat when Strain got his marching orders for a second yellow card after he kicked the ball away.
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Wellington Phoenix custodian Oliver Sail has been awarded Save of Matchweek 18 by former English Premier League and Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich.
The FOX Sports analyst commended Sail for his crucial save to deny Ryan Strain for both the manner of the block and the context of the moment in which it was produced, with Wellington level with Adelaide United at one goal apiece heading into the final 15 minutes of the Matchweek 18 contest.
Sail s brilliant save ensured Wellington remained in the game, ultimately allowing his team to go on and snatch a late winner from the penalty spot. Once again some absolutely fantastic saves from the weekend of A-League football, Bosnich said.