Wellington Phoenix ran themselves to a standstill before winning their soccer A-League elimination semifinal 4-2 in a penalty shootout against Perth Glory in Wellington today.
With the scores tied 1-1 at fulltime, both teams battled through half an hour of extra time before the match went to penalties before a Phoenix record home crowd which topped 24,000.
Reduced to 10 men after defender Jon McKain received his second yellow card in the 103rd minute, the Phoenix held on grimly and goalkeeper Liam Reddy saw them home with two brilliant saves in the shootout.
Although Stephen McGarry slotted home the Glory's first penalty, Reddy was the hero of the hour when he kept out first Naum Sekulovski then Scott Bulloch. Paul Ifill, Andrew Durante, Tim Brown and Adrian Caceres all slotted home from the spot to secure the Phoenix win.
The Phoenix now meet the Newcastle Jets at Wellington Stadium in two weeks, after they emerged surprise victors on penalties over third-placed Gold Coast at Skilled Park.

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