Phoenix keeper Oli Sail Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Wellington Phoenix overcame two red cards and conceding two late penalties to beat Sydney FC 1-0 in their A-League men's game in Sydney.
Polish striker Oskar Zawada opened the scoring in the 10th minute to give the Nix a deserved halftime lead.
Wellington comfortably defended their advantage until Bulgarian playmaker Bozhidar Kraev was sent off for a contentious second bookable offence midway through the second-half.
Another dubious refereeing decision followed four minutes from fulltime when Phoenix substitute Nicholas Pennington was shown a straight red card after an altercation with Sydney midfielder Max Burgess.
The referee and video assistant referee then combined to award the hosts two debatable penalties in time added on. Oli Sail spectacularly saved the first spot kick from Adam Le Fondre and Sydney's English striker sprayed the second to allow the Nix to hold on for an incredible victory.
It is the Phoenix's first win over the Sky Blues since December 2018 and sees Wellington jump above Sydney and into sixth on the ladder.
Wellington Phoenix head coach Ufuk Talay expressed his pride in his players after the match.
"I think the boys showed fantastic character to get themselves through that," Talay told media post-game. "And we walk away with the three points so the boys will be quite pleased with that.
"They defended the box very well. I don't think Sydney had a real clear chance to score a goal in the second-half.
"There were probably half chances where balls have dropped or second phases, but I don't think there was anything we gave them in the second-half."
His blood pressure had returned to normal levels by the time Talay spoke to media.
"It was a little bit risen as the game was going on, but it happens. Decisions are made and we deal with the decisions at the time.
"I thought we played well in the first half. I think we should have scored maybe a couple of more…so if we come in at least two-nil at halftime I think we're quite comfortable for the second-half."
Nicholas Pennington is red carded Photo: photosport
He was diplomatic when asked about the red cards, starting with Kraev's second yellow.
"I think I need to see it again because it was on the other side of the field. Watching it live I thought it was soft. I don't think there was intent to kick the player.
"The second one I can't really comment because I don't know what they actually did to each other at that time when there was all players around it.
"Obviously VAR have had a look at it and they've come to a conclusion that what Nicho did was a red card."
Talay was also keen to get another look at the penalty decisions.
"It's too far from me. I need to have a look at the video and have a look at the angle that the referees looked at it.
"From what I saw of the first one I thought it hit him in the back. I don't know but we'll look at it again."
Ufuk Talay made two changes to the XI which started the 3-1 defeat to Melbourne City on Monday with club captain Alex Rufer and former Sydney forward Kosta Barbarouses replacing Steven Ugarkovic and Yan Sasse respectively.
Rufer made his first A-League start since March last year, when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Meanwhile the Phoenix women came close to becoming the first side to take a point from Western United in the Liberty A-League.
The Phoenix conceded a late goal to lose 1-0 to the competition front-runners in an evenly contested match in Melbourne.
Natalie Lawrence's side delivered a vastly improved performance from just six weeks ago when they were beaten 4-1 by Western at Sky Stadium.
