The Wellington Phoenix experienced a remarkable turnaround on Monday night as they claimed a thrilling 2-1 victory over Macarthur FC at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. The highlight of the match was undoubtedly Kosta Barbarouses’ 100th goal in the Isuzu UTE A-League, marking him as the first New Zealander to achieve this milestone.
The match began with Macarthur asserting dominance right from the whistle, and it wasn't long before they capitalized. Jake Hollman opened the scoring for the Bulls in the 16th minute, finishing expertly after receiving Jed Drew's cutback, sneaking the ball past Phoenix goalkeeper Alby Kelly-Heald, who momentarily fumbled the effort against the inside of the post.
Despite the early setback, the Wellington Phoenix displayed resilience, largely due to the performances of their young keeper, Kelly-Heald, who made several key saves throughout the match. Kelly-Heald, only 19 years old, was tasked with filling the shoes of the injured Josh Oluwayemi, and he rose to the occasion with notable saves from Bernardo and Daniel De Silva.
The first half ended with Macarthur leading comfortably, having taken 11 shots compared to the Phoenix's mere three. The Bulls pressed for more goals but failed to extend their lead, thanks largely to Kelly-Heald's efforts, which kept the scoreline from widening.
Entering the second half, the Phoenix regrouped and appeared reinvigorated. Their persistence paid off when Kazuki Nagasawa leveled the score at 1-1. The Japanese midfielder scored his first A-League goal of the season after being set up by Hideki Ishige’s clever backheel, converting with precision from close range.
But the real drama unfolded just six minutes later when the veteran Barbarouses was fouled by Macarthur goalkeeper Filip Kurto inside the penalty area. He calmly stepped up to take the penalty, sending Kurto the wrong way after the decision survived VAR scrutiny. Barbarouses’ goal not only turned the tide for Wellington but also marked his centennial goal—the fifth player to achieve this feat in A-League history, joining legends like Jamie Maclaren and Besart Berisha.
“Barbarouses scores! The A-Leagues’ newest centurion puts the Wellington Phoenix in front,” exclaimed commentator Teo Pellizzeri during the moment, emphasizing the significance of the finish.
Post-match, Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano expressed his pride and gratitude for Barbarouses, noting, “He’s fantastic, he’s been great... Again, a good guy, and deserves everything, and congratulations to him for scoring 100 goals.” This victory represented the Phoenix's first win of 2025 and alleviated some pressure from the team, which had been struggling with just one win from their last eight matches prior to this clash.
The significance of this win goes beyond just the points as it provides momentum moving forward, with the Phoenix now above Central Coast Mariners on the A-League ladder. They desperately needed this win to strengthen their campaign after falling to tenth position earlier.
Italiano also made strategic adjustments leading up to the match, bringing Luke Supyk to start, who played commendably, adding depth to the attacking front. His work ethic on the pitch alongside the likes of Nagasawa showcased the youth and potential within the team.
Statistically, it’s worth noting how the match unfolded; the Phoenix only managed nine shots to Macarthur's 30, showcasing their defensive organization and effective counterattacking. Kelly-Heald was instrumental throughout, especially following his early blunder on the Bulls’ opening goal, reaffirming his growth as a key player for the squad.
The Phoenix will face another challenge as they prepare to return home before heading to Christchurch to play the reigning champions, the Central Coast Mariners, this weekend. With newfound confidence, the Phoenix aim to build on this victory and push for improvement as the season progresses.
Overall, it was not just the historic goal for Barbarouses but also the collective effort from the team, particularly Kelly-Heald, who was named player of the match for his heroic display. The victory against Macarthur came as both relief and celebration for the Phoenix and their fans, galvanizing hopes for the rest of the season.