Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The Wellington Phoenix survived a lightning strike and a dramatic penalty shoot-out to progress to the last 16 of the Australia Cup.
Academy graduate Lukas Kelly-Heald scored the decisive spot kick as the Phoenix beat Perth Glory 8-7 in the shootout played in driving rain at the Olympic Stadium in Perth.
The round of 32 tie had finished level at 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time, which was interrupted for more than half an hour due to lightning.
Kelly-Heald earlier scored his first competitive goal for the club to put the Nix in front at half-time before Socceroos striker Adam Taggart drew the Glory level in the 89th minute to force an additional 15 minutes a side.
Neither team was able to break the deadlock in extra time, sending the tie to penalties. Perth had a chance to win the shootout 5-3 but spurned their fifth spot kick and reserves midfielder Lachlan Candy then converted his to take it to sudden death.
The Glory sent their ninth penalty over the bar, but Kelly-Heald made no mistake of his to seal the win for Wellington and spark wild celebrations.
However Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano missed Kelly-Heald's decisive spot kick, but not his maiden goal for the Phoenix.
"I don't watch penalties so I've got to watch the replay and see his finish. I heard there were some good penalties.
"He put in a great stint. There was talk about taking him off in extra time but he just trooped through.
Giancarlo Italiano named the same XI which started last week's match against Wrexham AFC.
Auckland FC play their round of 32 game on Tuesday against Gold Coast Knights.
