Based in Wollongong during the campaign because of Covid-19 travel restrictions to New Zealand, the Phoenix have surged into the finals frame with three wins in their last four games.

Tomer Hemed's 97^th minute penalty sealed a dramatic 2-1 win over Adelaide at WIN Stadium on Sunday night, to lift the Phoenix into sixth, though Western United and Brisbane have games in hand.

Talay had previously offered belief in a return to New Zealand for their final two home fixtures against Western United and Perth.

Read more: Hemed's 97th minute penalty secures Phoenix A-League win in Wollongong

However, after the win over Adelaide, Talay revealed the Phoenix will likely play at WIN Stadium again.

"I've got a feeling that we might have one more game in Wollongong," he said.

A travel bubble has been established between Australia and New Zealand in recent weeks, but the Covid threat remains, as seen with Western Australia's three-day locked.

The Phoenix also returned to wearing their yellow home kit on Sunday, after a successful run of games in the Wolves-inspired red shirts.

Hemed, the Israeli striker who played in the English Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion, showed his class to step up to the penalty spot in the 97^th minute and score the winner.

Jaushua Sotirio was clattered by Reds' goalkeeper Joe Gauci in the box before Hemed made no mistake.

However, the moment almost never came for Hemed, who was to be substituted until Talay changed his mind.

"Initially we were going to take Tomer off, but he got his second wind," Talay said.

"So we kept him on the park and I'm glad we did.

"He hasn't played a lot of games in the last couple of weeks, we just wanted to be mindful of that."

Read more: St George Illawarra wingers facing lengthy stint on sidelines

Talay challenged his players to maintain the momentum in the final games, starting with Saturday's away game against the Roar.

"We spoke about it before the game, we said whatever has happened in the past has happened," he said.

"All we need to do is really focus on (Sunday's) game and take it a game at a time.

"It's nice to be sitting in the six at the present time, but we want to be sitting in the six by round 26."

Wollongong Olympic will be out to continue their perfect start this season when they tackle third-division Sydney club Inner West Hawks in the FFA Cup on Tuesday night.

Olympic are unbeaten in five games to sit two points clear of Albion Park in the Illawarra Premier League and they've also overpowered Inter Lions (1-nil) and Berowra (2-1) on their way to the fifth round of the Cup.

In contrast the Hawks are without a win in eight games in the NSW NPL 3 league.

Unanderra will be hoping to continue a fairytale run next week, while Wollongong United travel to face Canterbury-Bankstown.

Round five

Tuesday

WOLLONGONG OLYMPIC v INNER WEST HAWKS at JJ Kelly Park (8pm)

Wednesday, May 5

LIVERPOOL OLYMPIC v UNANDERRA HEARTS at Hoxton Park Reserve (7pm)

CANTERBURY BANKSTOWN v WOLLONGONG UNITED at Crest Complex (7.30pm)