The Wellington Phoenix women are off to their first ever A-League women's grand final after a 2-1 extra-time win over Sydney FC at Sky Stadium on Sunday.

Captain Annalie Longo opened the scoring in the 38th minute before Sydney equalised early in the second half. Substitute Kelli Brown's 113th-minute winner sent the home crowd of 12,400 into raptures.

Coach Paul Temple said the result was "a long time coming" for a club that has built its women's programme through a sustained investment in youth and player welfare. "This is for the players who turned up when the lights weren't on."

The Phoenix will travel to play Melbourne City in next weekend's grand final.