Oskar Zawada
Photo: Marty Melville / www.photosport.nz
The Wellington Phoenix sealed their place in the A-League play-offs for the fourth time in five years with a 1-nil win against Macarthur in Sydney.
Polish striker Oskar Zawada found the back of the net early for an 11th minute goal.
While there were other chances which were not converted, the Phoenix will take the result after six weeks without a win.
The victory means departing coach Ufuk Talay will take his side through to the elimination final against third-placed finishers Adelaide on Friday night.
“We got the outcome we needed to make the finals football,” Talay said.
If the Wellington side can get past Adelaide United they will face minor premiers Melbourne City.
It is just the team’s fifth clean sheet of the season and comes after conceding 17 goals in their past five matches.
“I was very pleased with the attitude,” Talay said.
“We showed a lot more desperation defensively, which was great.
“We did well at times on the counter…especially in the second half.
The Phoenix were beaten 5-1 by Adelaide United in their last visit to Coopers Stadium in round 20, but Talay believes there are positives they can take from that defeat.
“I thought we actually played some good football, we just didn’t capitalise on the opportunities that we created.”
“They’re a team that plays very open football…so there are strengths and weaknesses we need to exploit and stop at the same time.
“Finals football is different. The approach is a little bit different. You’ve got to have a gameplan in store because it can go to extra time [and] it could go to penalties.
“We’ll plan and prepare well for Adelaide.”
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