Kosta Barbarouses celebrates his goal. Photo: Photosport
The Wellington Phoenix have signed off from Auckland in style, maintaining their unbeaten record at Eden Park with a come from behind 2-1 win over Sydney FC.
In what will likely be the last time the side appears in the city of sails as the home team before Auckland FC join the A-League, the Phoenix showed they will be missed as 18,000 passionate fans cheered them home.
Down 1-0 at halftime, it was a stunning strike from Kosta Barbarouses which sealed the Phoenix victory to see them back on top of the table and end their era at Eden Park without a loss from 12 games.
Head coach Giancarlo Italiano believes the 18,002 fans played a major role in the comeback win.
"I'm very happy for the players that they experienced that because it's great to be part of," Italiano told media post-match.
"I've been part of some really big games over the last five years when Uffy (Ufuk Talay) was in charge with the Covid games, coming back here for Perth and the one in Wellington I remember when we played Western United. They're unbelievable memories.
"Crowds make games. I think that's going to be the difference for us from where we are now to where we're going to end up at the end of the season.
"Any support we can get, any boost. 12th players I call them the crowd. They're going to be massive."
Barbarouses has now scored 91 A-League goals to move up to fifth on the all-time men's list, ahead of former Socceroo Archie Thompson.
"I thought it was one of his best 90 minutes for the season," Italiano said.
"The first half he would have been very disappointed missing that chance…[but] in the second half the second goal he took was fantastic.
"It takes a lot of confidence to cut back in…and he actually took it quite well so I was very happy for him."
Dominating early territory, the Sky Blues struck first after just five minutes after Anthony Caceres stripped the Phoenix of possession.
His first shot rebounded to his feet, but he then opted to pass to Robert Mac who thundered into the right of the net.
Not long after, Barbarouses found himself in an acre of space, but was unable to get past Andrew Redmayne.
A big blow then came for the Phoenix, with Tim Payne hobbling off the pitch with a hamstring injury.
Alex Paulsen was called on to tip a Jordan Courtney-Perkins rocket over the crossbar, immediately followed by a Gabriel Lacerd shot going just wide as Sydney were all over the hosts in the opening half hour.
Sydney FC's Robert Mak celebrates his goal with Jordan Courtney-Perkins during the Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC. A-League match at Eden Park. Photo: Photosport
Sydney continued to pepper the Phoenix, and when they failed to clear a cross, Courtney-Perkins took full advantage to score, but replays showed his hand had touched the ball and the Phoenix survived.
After being dominated early, the Phoenix started to find their rhythm.
The Phoenix had one last chance for points before the break, but again Barbarouses' effort was saved by Redmayne.
Wellington would draw level shortly after oranges, Barbarouses looking to find Kraev in the area, his cross intercepted by the Sydney defence who chipped it into the Phoenix net.
Initially ruled out due to offside to the relief Hayden Matthews, replays saw the own goal stand as the home fans erupted.
Anthony Caceres went within inches of retaking the lead for the visitors, but sent it just over the bar.
Some stunning goalkeeping followed, Paulsen managing three consecutive saves within a few seconds in an incredible defensive display.
Sydney's energy returned as the Phoenix survived a sustained period on defence in the box.
The Phoenix survived the onslaught, and completed their comeback in the 70th minute with Barbarouses netting his 11th goal of the season.
Set up by Youstin Salas, Barbarouses showed incredible speed to get inside the Sydney defence before unleashing a superb strike.
Barbarouses almost went back to back immediately after the restart as he was fed a beautiful cross from Sam Sutton but a moment of hesitation allowed Redmayne to snuff the chance.
Another injury blow came for the Phoenix as Isaac Hughes forced from the field as the match entered seven minutes of injury time.
They had their chances, but Sydney was unable to convert to see the Phoenix reclaim its spot atop the A-League table.
Scorers:
Phoenix 2 (Own Goal 54', Barbarouses 70')
Sydney 1 (Mak 5')
Sydney FC goal keeper Andrew Redmayne makes a save from Wellington striker Kosta Barbarouses. Photo: Photosport