If you can’t beat them, just don’t lose.
Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay smiled as he sat down for his post-game press conference in the immediate aftermath of their crabby 1-1 draw away to Central Coast Mariners.
He was a lucky man after his team rallied late to secure a point in a fiery match that saw three red cards dealt to the opposition, including one to their coach Nick Montgomery.
Striker Oskar Zawada’s spinning back heel in stoppage time, his 10th goal of the season, saved a result after former Phoenix full-back James McGarry scored again in the 12th minute against his former club.
The Phoenix picked up four points from a total of 12 during their four-game away run, but Friday’s tie against the second-placed Mariners has put them in a strong position with eight rounds remaining.
Not only has it kept them in the top six for another week (the Phoenix occupy fifth place), but they’ve also created a one-point lead over the two teams directly below them, who they’ll face in their next two games.
Talay has stressed all season that if his team isn’t going to win, they need to find a way not to lose to ensure they continue to rack up league points in the form of the tightest playoff race in years.
The Phoenix weren’t at their best against the Mariners, the journey over the past month seemed to take its toll as they struggled to clear a team that spent most of the season half with just 10 men on the field.
But they found their way back into the game when Brian Kaltak got his marching order, with Zawada showing his flexibility to shoot the ball past Danny Vukovic from a tricky angle from a late corner.
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Phoenix striker Oskar Zawada is knocked out by Mariners defender Jacob Farrell.
Moresche and Mariners coach Montgomery were also sent off in stoppage time, but only after the Phoenix tied the game.
“In the end we are happy to walk away with a point,” Talay said afterwards.
“We played against a good opponent, I thought we started the game well and the first time they came at us they scored from that, but then Central Coast had the better of the game and we weren’t at our best.
“For me, when you’re not at your best, I think it’s really important to stay in the game. We walked away with a point and we’ll take that.”
Goalkeeper Oli Sail was a key figure in the draw, making seven saves, including one with his face to deny Marco Tulio before the break, in a welcome return to form.
His save, diving low to the right to later deny McGarry, was another pivotal moment.
The Phoenix have not played on New Zealand soil since January 28, but they can now look forward to back-to-back home games in what looms as a crucial two weeks, starting with seventh-place Newcastle Jets at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.
Only one point separates the fifth-place Phoenix and the seventh-place Jets, so a win would create some much-needed breathing room on a crowded ladder. The Phoenix are also just three points behind second place.
“We’ve got a few home games now, which is great,” said Talay.
“We have been on the road for the past four years, so it is very important that we get as many points as possible while playing these home games.
“We now have plenty of time to refresh the players. Last week was cut short due to our travel being delayed by a storm in Sydney, so we will give the players a chance to rest and recover and prepare them properly on the game against Newcastle.”
The Phoenix are boosted by the return of first-choice right-back Callan Elliot after missing the Mariners game due to a suspension.