Midfielder Bozhidar Kraev scored his fourth goal in four games as the Wellington Phoenix beat Adelaide United 3-1 in one of their most assured displays of the A-League season.
Phoenix's David Ball with Adelaide United's Juande during their A-League match in Wellington. Photo: Photosport
All three goals went to imported players as the Phoenix notched their second win from eight games, toppling an Adelaide side who were third coming into the match in Wellington on Saturday.
Bulgarian Kraev maintained his hot streak with a headed goal from Callan Elliot's cross and it could have been even better if he didn't have a penalty saved late in the match by goalkeeper Joe Gauci.
His headed goal late in the first half handed the hosts a deserved 2-1 lead and it was an advantage they never looked like relinquishing after Adelaide were reduced to 10 men soon after the interval, following a second yellow card to Ben O'Halloran.
A deflected goal to Yan Sasse made the result safe and was a sweet moment for the Brazilian, who was sent off when the teams played out a 1-1 draw in an opening-round match two months ago.
The Phoenix made a sensational start, scoring through Oskar Zawada after barely a minute had ticked by, latching onto a long bass and sending a brutal shot past Gauci.
Adelaide's reply was spectacular, through a curling free kick from Craig Goodwin, who scored a goal for Australia at the Qatar World Cup.
There was further bright news for Wellington in the closing stages, when Phoenix captain Alex Rufer entered the game as a substitute, his first appearance for nearly nine months after rehabilitating from a knee ligament injury.
- RNZ