Phoenix earn valuable point
A late opportunistic goal from Wellington substitute Adrian Caceres has helped secure a 1-1 draw for the Phoenix against Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night.
Caceres's 77th minute effort, virtually one minute after subbing on for Costa Barbarouses, nullified Alemao's stunning long-range strike earlier in the evening, which appeared to give the home side invaluable momentum.
Adelaide arguably had the better of a scoreless first-half arm wrestle but the Reds were unable to make the most of their numerous chances until 12 minutes after the break when Alemao produced a contender for goal of the season.
But super-sub Caceres, a handy pick-up from the Central Coast Mariners, did enough to earn the New Zealanders a point.
In the National Youth League, the Newcastle Jets have closed the gap on the leading sides with a comfortable 3-1 win over the AIS at Adamstown Oval.
After a fairly even open period Newcastle took control of the match midway through the first half with three goals in a three-minute spree.
Mirjan Pavlovic, who had an impressive match before being rested at half-time, picked up a double with Jason Hoffman also getting on the scoresheet. AIS defender Marc Warren scored for the visitors in an entertaining fixture in drizzly conditions.
The win puts Newcastle on 16 points, just a point behind sixth placed Sydney, while the AIS remain rooted to the bottom of the table.