MELBOURNE (Reuters) - The Wellington Phoenix staked their claim as the grittiest team in the A-League as they shrugged off a season of constant challenge to book their place in the playoffs with a 2-1 away win over the Western Sydney Wanderers.
A sparkling second-half goal from midfielder Reno Piscopo at Western Sydney Stadium on Thursday sewed up a finals berth with a game to spare while condemning five-times champions Sydney FC to missing the playoffs for the first time since 2015/16.
