In contrast, Adelaide goalkeeper Joe Gauci was called into action just once, easily scooping up a low-driven effort from livewire substitute Reno Piscopo, who registered the team’s only shot on target in the 70th minute. Although the draw stretched the Phoenix’s unbeaten run to six games, it has left them with plenty of work to do in their remaining five games in order to break into the top-six. They are three points adrift of sixth-place Brisbane Roar, who still have three games in hand, and there are two teams in between them also in contention. Making matters worse, the Phoenix could also be without captain and best player Ulises Davila for next Sunday s clash with A-League leaders Melbourne City after the Mexican import limped off with a hamstring injury in the second half.
Melbourne City emerged on top of the A-League table after an eight-game Matchweek 18 came to its conclusion on Wednesday night.
City drew with Macarthur FC on Saturday, April 24. The result sent Patrick Kisnorbo's side one point above both Central Coast Mariners - who took just one point from games against Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar - and the Sky Blues, who drew level with the Mariners after notching four points from two games in Matchweek 18.
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Sunday s game at WIN Stadium looked set to finish in an entertaining 1-1 draw before Adelaide goalkeeper Joe Gauci was penalised for a late challenge on Phoenix substitute Jaushua Sotirio in the fifth minute of injury time.
Israeli striker Hemed stepped up to stroke the penalty home and seal a vital win for the Phoenix who move up to sixth on the ladder with their third win from their past four matches.
Adelaide will feel extremely hard done by leaving Wollongong without at least one point after they had hit the front early in the second half when captain Stefan Mauk finished off a fine team move.
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Tomer Hemed revealed he was not supposed to be on the pitch to score the last-gasp winner that completed a dramatic turnaround in Wellington Phoenix’s 2-1 win over Adelaide United.
The Israel international netted his fifth A-League goal of the campaign from the penalty spot in thrilling fashion, seven minutes into stoppage time, to seal all three points at WIN Stadium – but he had to twist head coach Ufuk Talay’s arm to do so.
The Kiwi outfit fell behind at their temporary home in Wollongong when Reds captain Stefan Mauk swept the away side into the lead in the 51st minute but, seven minutes later, teenage attacker Ben Waine netted for the fourth straight game to level the scores back up.