Phoenix stun Gold Coast
02/07/2010 09:59:28 AM
Chris Greenacre's effort went just inches over the cross-bar after he stuck a foot in the path of Ifill's stinging left-foot effort.
As the rain began to fall in Robina on the hour-mark, Shane Smeltz blazed high and wide with Culina driving a speculative effort directly at Reddy from long range five minutes later.
As Gold Coast looked for the equaliser the Phoenix defence held firm with Jon McKain and Durante making crucial tackles that stifled Smeltz and his team-mates.
With 15 minutes to go Culina unleashed another low drive on target from outside the box, but with the ball looking destined for the net Reddy pulled off a brilliant diving save to his right.
Committed up the park United was left exposed and second-half substitute Eugene Dadi came close to securing the three points with a header that drifted wide with time ticking away.
With five minutes left Reddy made another great save to deny Smeltz's looping goal bound header as the Phoenix held on for a famous victory.
Gold Coast United 0
Wellington Phoenix 1
(Ifill 45p)
@ Skilled Park 7/2/10. Crowd: 4202