Sometimes football's scriptwriters come up with a scenario so implausible that if you hadn't seen it happen, you wouldn't believe it.
Ben Sigmund doesn't immediately appeal as the central character in a fairytale, but he provided a very happy ending for Phoenix fans on Sunday in Christchurch.
It hasn't been a particularly happy 12 footballing months for Sigmund. It was a year ago last Saturday that he gave Melbourne Victory's Adrian Leijer a right-hook in a penalty area scuffle, earning himself a three-match suspension. By the time he became available again, Jon McKain had cemented himself as Andrew Durante's central defensive partner, leaving Sigmund to watch the remainder of the season from the sidelines.
He then went to the World Cup with the All Whites but again saw no action as Winston Reid and Tommy Smith were preferred alongside Ryan Nelsen.
But this season, Siggy has been practically ever-present. Centre-back is certainly his best position, but when asked, he's shuffled across to right-back to plug a gap in Phoenix's roster. Some doubt whether he has the pace and technical ability to fulfil both the attacking and defensive responsibilities of fullback, but he put in a tremendous shift against Adelaide to perhaps put the doubters to rest.
Things didn't start particularly well. Sergio van Dijk's neck-stretching header to open the scoring came after he rose above Sigmund on the penalty spot. But from there, his lion-hearted defending (expected) and regular forays down the right flank (unexpected) were the features of an exceptional performance.
Just after half-time he provided the cross for his good mate Tim Brown to square the ledger from close range and with just seconds remaining in injury time, he rose to nod home the most important goal of his career as AMI Stadium exploded with joy.
One thing you always get with Sigmund is one hundred percent. If you told him it would benefit his team if he stayed out on the field at half-time and did shuttles, he'd do it. On the occasion of his fiftieth Phoenix start and a return to his home town, he was already everyone's candidate for man of the match even before his late, late show. The grin was a mile wide afterwards and will probably still be there for a few days yet. Well played, Siggy.
A couple more things...
Firstly, Marco Rojas. The drums are beating for the youngster to start matches for Phoenix after his recent impact from the bench. That time will come, but for now, I like the idea of Rojas in an impact role, picking up the ball in wide areas and running at weary defenders. He looks good and also chalked up an assist for Sigmund's winner with a pinpoint corner.
Secondly, Christchurch. For the second season running, Cantabrians turned out in their many thousands to support Phoenix and have surely earned the right to host a game every year. They love their football in the Garden City and I'd be very happy to visit once a season if we get matches and crowds like we did on Sunday.
