A-League game stopped as Wellington Phoenix captain Annalie Longo’s own dog invades pitch

An A-League Women game punctuated by a Michelle Heyman milestone goal for Canberra United was briefly halted on Sunday when a dog invaded the pitch at Porirua Park in New Zealand.

But it wasn’t just any dog — it belonged to none other than Wellington Phoenix captain Annalie Longo.

‘Tiger’ bolted down the halfway line before zigging and zagging between players, evading capture each time.

Quick-witted Phoenix fans moved to chant the famous 2000s number ‘Who Let the Dogs Out’ while he continued to run rings around the opposition in the midfield.

“There’s a dog on the pitch, you don’t often see that — certainly not at this level,” commentator Jason Pine said.

“I think that might be Annalie Longo’s own dog! There are all sorts of players trying to tempt the canine.

Longo was among those to kneel down in a bid to catch Tiger but he took some time before deciding to go in for a reunion.

And he might have regretted that, too, with Longo wasting no time picking it up and passing it off to a team official.

“This is indeed the best league in the world,” Pine added.

One fan wrote of Tiger’s adventure: “Wonderful movement and vision to avoid the defence. 8.5 match rating.”

Even Canberra got involved: “A-League is the best league.”

Longo had little else to smile about as Wellington suffered their second straight defeat to start the season, with Canberra United notching a 1-0 win to maintain their unbeaten start.

Heyman’s 11th-minute strike, her 100th goal for Canberra, proved the match-winner.

Canberra are second on the ladder but their away win came at a cost, with recruit Aideen Keane likely for a stint on the sidelines.

The former Sydney FC midfielder had left the game late in the first half in tears after suffering a suspected hamstring injury while attempting a shot at goal.

Wellington (0-2) are also sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Carolina Vilao after Keane’s knee smacked into her opponent’s upper thigh just before her hamstring injury.

Vilao played on in visible discomfort before being replaced by Aimee Danieli for the second half.

Elsewhere in the ALW on Sunday, Adelaide United claimed a 2-0 away win over Western Sydney at Wanderers Football Park.

Emily Condon pulled off a brilliant corner kick to send the ball to the back of the net deep into added time before the main break.

The hosts argued goalkeeper Sham Khamis had been fouled, but Condon’s goal stood.

English import Fiona Worts piled the pain on the Wanderers in the opening minute of the second half after launching home from the centre of the box.

A suspected wrist injury to Madison McComasky, sustained after the defender crashed to ground following a collision with Erin Healy in the 31st minute, added to Western Sydney’s woes.

- with AAP