Teen plays unexpected role in win
Callan Elliot was not supposed to take the corner that led to Wellington Phoenix’s last-gasp winner against Melbourne City on Sunday. But he did so anyway.
With the score locked at 2-2 deep into stoppage time and usual corner taker Alex Rufer standing in the 18-yard box, the 19-year-old A-League rookie found himself having to take the kick simply because he was the closest player to the flag.
‘‘Rufer was on the field and I thought he was going to take it but he was standing in the box waiting for a corner to come in so I thought I’d just take it,’’ he said.
‘‘I just thought ‘don’t kick it out’, that was the main one, [and I aimed] for the back post because I knew the tall boys were back there like Cillian [Sheridan].’’
Elliot’s pinpoint corner found Sheridan who rose up to head the ball towards goal. With Roy Krishna blocking the view of City goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic, for a moment it looked like Sheridan’s header could have won the game for the Phoenix.
But instead it ended up being the perfect assist as the ball crashed into the body of Krishna who somehow managed to flick the ball past Galekovic with his back to goal, securing his hattrick and a famous 3-2 win.
‘‘I was buzzing. I was stoked that I was able to play a small part in the goal. It’s a big confidence booster, that three points. We went into the game wanting to get it very badly and we pulled it off.’’
Already delighted to have made his first significant contribution as a Phoenix player, Elliot couldn’t wipe the smile from his face at training yesterday after he was rewarded with a one-year contract extension.
The Nelson product, who landed a trial after a breakout campaign with Tasman United and ultimately won over coach Mark Rudan in the pre-season, said he didn’t require much time to think it over given his boyhood dream was to play professional football.
‘‘I’ve loved it this season. To sign again for next season, I’m stoked. It just came up the other day and it was a no-brainer really,’’ he said.