![\"Ifeanyi](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4JVDJDA_20260103135385674414_original_jpg_2.jpeg\")
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\nIfeanyi Eze scored the crucial goal for the Phoenix. File photo.
\nPhoto: AAP \/ Photosport\n<\/p>\n
A superb goal by Ifeanyi Eze has given the Wellington Phoenix a vital 2-1 win over the Brisbane Roar in Brisbane.<\/p>\n
It continues the resurgence of the Phoenix under interim coach Chris Greenacre and crucially keeps them in the hunt for an A-League men’s playoffs spot.<\/p>\n
They are now just one point off the top six, as they sit in eighth place.<\/p>\n
A loss would have left them with a big mountain to climb with four regular-season matches remaining.<\/p>\n
They have had two wins in a row and are unbeaten in their last three under Greenacre, who oversaw a loss to Sydney FC just after he took over from men’s Giancarlo Italiano<\/a>, who had resigned immediately after the 5-0 drubbing delivered by Auckland FC on 21 February.<\/p>\n The match with Brisbane could have gone either way before Eze’s clincher in the 86th minute.<\/p>\n Former Phoenix player James McGarry put the Roar 1-0 ahead after 14 minutes, with Corban Piper locking the scores up with a tap-in from Isaac Hughes header in the 36th minute.<\/p>\n It remained that way until the late counter-attack saw Luke Brooke-Smith slide a superb pass to Eze, who struck it with great timing to leave Roar goalie Dean Bouzanis no chance of stopping it.<\/p>\n There was an ugly head clash late in the game with a bloodied Hughes having to leave the field, and the Phoenix were able to repel the late attacks by the Roar, whose appeals for two late penalties were rebuffed.<\/p>\n Eze said the win meant everything to the Phoenix.<\/p>\n “This means everything to us, because our main target is getting into the top six,” he told Sky Sport.<\/p>\n “I’m very happy we won, I’m very happy we got the three points.”<\/p>\n It was the Phoenix’s third win over the Roar this season.<\/p>\n The Wellington side will cross the Tasman to play Melbourne Victory next on 5 April, while the Roar will host Sydney FC three days earlier.<\/p>\n