Goalkeeper Howler Sparks 5-0 Humiliation as A-League Coach Quits on the Spot
A stunning collapse in the A-League has ended with a head coach walking away and it all began with one moment that players and fans will not forget anytime soon.
At Sky Stadium in Wellington, what should have been a routine defensive play turned into a nightmare for the Wellington Phoenix . Goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi misjudged a long clearance from nearly 75 metres out. He was caught off his line, backpedaling in panic and in a desperate attempt to recover he headed the ball into his own net. An own goal from well outside the box. It was the kind of error that shifts momentum instantly and that is exactly what happened.
From that point on, Auckland FC took control. By half-time, the scoreline was already 4-0. The Phoenix looked rattled, disorganized and short of belief. Oluwayemi was substituted at the break, replaced by Alby Kelly-Heald, but the damage was done. The visitors eventually sealed a crushing 5-0 victory, extending their dominance in this derby rivalry and sending a clear message to the rest of the competition.
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For Auckland FC , the win keeps them firmly in the title race. Under coach Steve Corica , they remain just one point off the top of the table. Confidence is high, performances are sharp and their derby record remains flawless.
But the real shock came after the final whistle.
Giancarlo Italiano , the Phoenix head coach, announced his resignation immediately following the match. He took full responsibility for the humiliating defeat, calling the result unacceptable with the season still alive. Italiano had guided Wellington to a second-place finish just two seasons ago, but recent struggles and a run of poor form have left the team drifting in the lower half of the table.
This matters because leadership changes mid-season can reshape a club’s direction overnight. A new coach could spark a revival, or instability could deepen the slide. For Wellington supporters, the question now is simple but urgent: can this team recover in time to salvage their campaign?
In football, one mistake can change a match. On this night, it changed far more than that. It shifted momentum, altered careers and forced a club into immediate transition.
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