A-League: Adelaide United 1 Wellington Phoenix 0

Adelaide United secured a hard-fought 1-0 elimination final victory over Wellington Phoenix in wet and windy conditions on Friday.

The Reds had to deal with a barnstorming start from the Phoenix to progress on the back of a 70th-minute Travis Dodd goal.

Wellington entered the match on a four-game winning streak and bossed much of the contest, although they were unable to capitalise on their chances.

The Phoenix opened with plenty of aggressive intent, Manny Muscat over-doing the physical stuff somewhat when he copped a yellow card in the fourth minute after blatantly wrapping his arms around Adam Hughes and dragging him to the turf.

Not only were the visitors the intimidators, they were also the far better side early, generally looking more organised and definitely far more threatening, persistently pummelling the Reds’ besieged defence.

Nineteen-year-old star Marco Rojas, with a burst of speed, gave Wellington an early look with a dangerous line-breaking run and short-range attempt in the eighth minute.

Muscat drove a hard, flat ball from distance which was held by United keeper Eugene Galekovic in the 10th minute and Tim Brown produced a mirror image attempt a minute later as the contest was played completely and utterly on the Phoenix’s terms.

Wellington midfielder Nick Ward’s superb header from a corner in the 21st minute was only denied by a leaping Galekovic with a right-handed swat as United had to scrap and defend three Wellington corners in as many minutes.

The rain eased in the second half but the contest was no less scrappy.

After a prolonged stalemate, substitute Mathew Leckie, who came on in the 62nd minute for Andy Slory, almost produced the first score three minutes later when his solo run and shot inside the box was denied by Wellington custodian Danny Vukovic.

Dodd scored what proved to be the winner when he nailed his second goal in as many weeks in the 70th minute.

The Reds skipper received a terrific pass from van Dijk on the back of some Flores magic to beat the Phoenix stopper.

United will host the winner of Sunday’s knock-out finals clash between Gold Coast United and Melbourne Victory next Sunday, the winner of that fixture earning a preliminary final berth.