Nathan Burns has sent a further reminder of why he is close to earning a recall to the Socceroos.
As the Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC were locked in one of the most boring A-League games in recent memory, the competition's leading goal-scorer took the contest by the scruff of the neck and shook it up himself.
The striker found the back of the net twice in the space of eight minutes late in the game as the Phoenix banked a valuable 2-0 win across the Tasman tonight as they proved they jumped to fourth place on the ladder.
Burns hasn't played for the Australian national side since 2011 but he is on the verge of a return for next month's Asian Cup after he was recently named in a 46-strong preliminary squad.
The 26-year-old has bagged 10 goals this season since he arrived at the Phoenix after a nomadic few seasons of professional football where many questioned whether he would ever live up to vast amount of potential he showed as a teenager.
Wellington tried to take advantage of Roy Krishna's pace in the early stages against Sydney by trying to release the Fijian international on goal but Sydney goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic played a high line and was equal to Krishna's advances.
Janjetovic had to almost play as a faux sweeper given Sydney employed a high line in defence, which looked a risky play given the speed on show among the Phoenix's front three.
The home side enjoyed the run of the race during the opening 45 minutes but despite having a raft of possession, they were unable to bother the scoreboard operators as the teams went to the sheds at 0-all.
Wellington's midfield struggled to gain parity, which didn't allow them to stamp their mark on the contest as Roly Bonevacia and Alex Rodriguez didn't provide enough of an influence but they managed to work their way in to the game during the second spell.
Conditions were quirky with a stiff breeze, glaring sunlight and a bumpy Allianz Stadium surface all adding to the challenge for the players.
The Phoenix were without the suspended Manny Muscat, which gave Tom Doyle a reprieve at left back. The 22-year-old Doyle, who was impressive during the pre-season but has provided up-and-down service during the campaign proper, was solid on his return to the starting side.
Fullback, on both sides of the paddock, has long been a position of instability for the Phoenix but coach Merrick would have been pleased to see Doyle produce a steady shift and put pressure on the incumbent Muscat who should return in the New Year.
The Phoenix will return to the comforts of home when they host the struggling Western Sydney Wanderers in Wellington on Sunday.
The Wanderers, despite their success in the Asian Champions League, have struggled on the domestic front this season and are anchored to the foot of the A-League ladder.
Wellington Phoenix 2 (Nathan Burns 73, 81), Sydney FC 0. Halftime: 0-0.
- Daniel Richardson of NZME. News Service
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