Soccer: Win against Adelaide good omen for Phoenix

Wellington Phoenix fans celebrate during the match against Adelaide. Photo / Getty Images

The Wellington Phoenix will hope history will again provide the catalyst to pitch them into the A-League play-offs.

Last season's 1-0 win over Adelaide United at AMI Stadium in Christchurch was the launching pad for their late-season run into the post season.

At the same point last season, after 18 of 27 rounds, the Phoenix were back in seventh place. They then dropped to ninth (of the 10 teams) before mounting their charge.

Sunday's 2-1 win over Adelaide at the same ground - and in front of the biggest crowd of the round (14,108) - may prove the turning point coach Ricki Herbert has long said was "just around the corner".

It was a totally dominant display by the Phoenix.

The final figures showed the Phoenix led the shot count 22-9. With Tim Brown and match hero Ben Sigmund converting two, the fans were given plenty to cheer about.

Referee Peter O'Leary will come under some scrutiny after sending off Adelaide captain Travis Dodd for what appeared a pretty tame challenge.

But O'Leary will not be alone.

Gerard Parsons and his assistants missed a clear hand ball as Sydney FC scored two late goals to down the Phoenix 3-1 in Sydney last Wednesday and in the first game of week 17 at AAMI Park, referee Peter Green failed to see Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Mike Theoklitos' hand ball outside his penalty area. Theoklitos launched the long ball which led to the Roar's late equaliser against Melbourne Victory, who had fallen 0-2 behind before charging to a 3-2 lead with three goals in 14 minutes.

Robbie Kruse scored two of those to surge to top equal in the golden boot.

The Victory were cruelly denied the points when Matt McKay scored three minutes into stoppage time.

The draw, coupled with Adelaide's loss in Christchurch, stretched Brisbane's lead to seven points.

Gold Coast remain in the mix after their 3-0 home win over Melbourne Heart in front of another pathetic crowd, just 1658, at Skilled Park.

Newcastle Jets continued their resurgence with two late goals and a 2-0 away win over North Queensland Fury. Nikolai Topor Stanley gave the Jets their 79th minute lead. Substitute Sasho Petrovski sealed the points three minutes into stoppage time.

Central Coast Mariners had a dream start against Sydney in Gosford. Adam Kwasnik scored inside a minute and added a second in the 24th. In between times Matt Simon also scored. Ahead 3-0 at the break, the Mariners profited further in the opening minute of the second half when the visitors gave up an own goal.