Wellington Phoenix have scored 154 A-League goals. The most recent of these will live long in the memory, both because of who scored it and what it meant.

Manny Muscat has long been the target of good-natured banter from his team-mates about the inability to break his A-League goal-scoring duck. On the eve of his own century of games for the Phoenix, Tim Brown delivered a great line. “The real story here isn’t my 100 games”, he said.  “It’s whether Manny Muscat will ever score a goal”. Brown then joked that 100 games probably meant 400 or 500 training sessions and Muscat had never come close to scoring in those either.

Shooting drills at Phoenix training are punctuated by good-natured hoots and hollers from the more accomplished goal-scorers in the team with Paul Ifill particularly vocal when Muscat’s efforts fly inevitably wide of the target.  But the affable defender takes it all in his stride, and has even stayed behind recently to work on his shooting, no doubt waiting for an occasion like the one which presented itself on Friday night.

It was a cracking goal. The turn inside fullback Byun was like that of an attacking midfielder and the composed finish off his supposed weaker foot was absolutely perfect.  If you’d never watched the A-League but tuned in by accident and saw that, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were watching one of the competition’s top marksmen. The explosion of pure joy which spread across Muscat’s face as the ball nestled in the back of Ben Kennedy’s net was one of the best television moments for a long time.

It’s obvious how much esteem he’s held in by his team-mates, and how genuinely pleased everyone was for him when, to a man, every Phoenix player rushed to mob the delighted Muscat after he scored. One of the first on the scene was skipper and great mate Andrew Durante who seemed almost as thrilled as Muscat himself.  Muscat might quietly remind him that he actually took fewer matches to score than his skipper; when Durante finally broke his duck in the 2009/10 Preliminary Final against Sydney, he was playing his 86th A-League match.  Friday night was Muscat’s 85th.

Another to congratulate Muscat (via Facebook) was former Phoenix goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, himself an A-League goal-scorer from the penalty spot in the last home match of his career in Wellington.  Rumour has it Muscat had designs on taking that penalty himself, but graciously gave it up to his ‘keeper who gleefully drilled it into the roof of the net and sprinted off in celebration. Vukovic, Durante and now Muscat all sit proudly on a goal apiece for Wellington Phoenix.

The occasion Muscat chose to finally chalk one up in the goals column was as important as any this season.  The inability to win away games has been discussed even more than his goal drought, but with that particular duck broken last weekend against Gold Coast United, it was crucial for that momentum to be continued against a side Phoenix had dominated in their two visits to Wellington this season.

Muscat’s goal, stout defending (with Ben Sigmund immense again) and a solid all-round team performance meant a clean sweep against the Jets was duly accomplished.  More notably, consecutive away wins were notched for the first time ever.  The previous 58 matches on Australia soil had yielded just ten victories. My radio comments man, David Chote pulled out another famous line after the game when he compared Phoenix away wins to buses; you wait ages for one to arrive and then two come along at once. Considering the ongoing tightness of the A-League, these back-to-back wins and the six points acquired which propelled Phoenix to third on the A-League ladder are absolutely crucial.

Unfortunately Muscat won’t be able to dine out on his goal at training this week.  He’s remained in Australia to be with his wife who is due to have the couple’s first child in the days ahead.  It also means he likely won’t play against Melbourne Heart on Sunday.

This might provide the opportunity for Ricki Herbert to plot a long-term strategy in the right-back position.  It’s common knowledge Muscat would rather play in the defensive midfield role he fills so effectively.  Herbert would probably rather play him there too, but he’s been stymied by the lack of any other reliable options at fullback.

Step forward Vince Lia. He’s been tried there sporadically, including the 5-2 win over Newcastle just before Christmas, and long been considered an option to play on the right side of the back four.  Provided he’s over his recent knee niggle, perhaps it’s time to give him a decent run there – or at least a couple of games while Muscat’s away – to see how he shapes up.  There’s plenty of cover for him in midfield with Alex Smith looking confident and composed in the past two games and Nick Ward also able to play centrally.

Some Phoenix fans are getting a little carried away and are now talking about a top two finish this season.  A glance at February’s fixtures might quell their wild optimism slightly.  Beyond the tricky game against Heart on Sunday, there’s a trip to Adelaide (where Phoenix rarely get anything), a visit from the defending champion Roar and then jaunts to Sydney and Gosford.  If Phoenix still sit in the top three as we enter March, an assault on the top two places might be contemplated. But there’s a long way to go yet.

Having said that, the away wins achieved in the past two rounds have not only provided a boost up the table; they’ll have lifted the side psychologically as well.  Phoenix now know they can win away from home and real momentum has been gained thought their ability to do that. 

Manny Muscat’s goal could be hugely significant.  It’ll be a personal milestone which he’ll relish for years to come but it may also prove to be a season-defining moment for his beloved football club.