Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi has committed one of the worst howlers this A-League Men season, heading a clearance kick into his own net as Auckland FC romped to a big win.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The New Zealand derby was scoreless through 23 minutes when the ball was well inside Auckland FC’s half. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Not wanting the ball to be played in his team’s territory, defensive midfielder Josh Girdwood-Reich punted the ball up the centre of the field, in the direction of Wellington’s penalty box.<\/p>\n
What followed was an error described by Sky Sports NZ commentator Jason Pine as an “absolute catastrophe”.<\/p>\n
Oluwayemi ran out of the penalty box to meet the ball, but completely misjudged the landing zone.<\/p>\n
As the ball threatened to go over him, the Phoenix keeper desperately threw his head at the ball.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The ball clipped his head and went into the back of the net for the first of Auckland’s five goals on Saturday afternoon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oluwayemi’s blunder was the catalyst for a first-half implosion, and the goalkeeper was so out of sorts he was subbed off at half-time by Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano and replaced by Alby Kelly-Heald.<\/p>\n
Auckland only had three shots on target in the first half but led 4-0 at half-time.<\/p>\n
Guillermo May found the back of the net with a well-taken finish in the 41st minute.<\/p>\n
Jesse Randall grabbed a double, his second ending Oluwayemi’s afternoon when he chipped the goalkeeper, who was stranded in no-man’s land.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kelly-Heald was brought on at the break that appeared to bring a level of calmness to proceedings until Lachlan Brook struck his eighth goal of the season in the 74th minute.<\/p>\n
Auckland has won all six of its derby meetings to date.<\/p>\n
The loss has brought an end to Wellington coach Giancarlo Italiano’s time at the club, resigning in the wake of the loss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Off contract at the end of this current campaign, Italiano used his post-match press conference to announce his decision to quit the ‘Nix after three seasons with the A-League Men club.<\/p>\n
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