Wellington Phoenix have kept their slender hopes of reaching the Isuzu UTE A-League finals alive with a 2-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch.
This defeat marks Western Sydney’s first-ever wooden spoon in the Isuzu UTE A-League, as they find themselves five points adrift of Brisbane Roar with just one match remaining.
The Phoenix were the dominant team, securing the win through powerful header goals from key striker Ifeanyi Eze and Japanese midfielder Kazuki Nagasawa, both set up by Tim Payne.
Brandon Borrello, captaining the side in place of the injured Lawrence Thomas, equalised for the Wanderers just before half-time.
Wellington dominated the early stages of the match, pinning the Wanderers back in their own half and earning four corners within the first ten minutes.
It only took five additional minutes for Eze to break the deadlock, following a well-constructed build-up. Tim Payne delivered a clever ball to the back post which Eze thundered past Wanderers keeper Jordan Holmes with typical flair.
This goal marked Eze’s tenth of the season, placing him second in the race for the Golden Boot behind Auckland’s Sam Cosgrove and making him only the second player this season to reach double figures.
The Nix continued to press after the opening goal, with Ramy Najjarine forcing Holmes into several saves, including one after an impressive 40-metre run.
This effort seemed to ignite the Wanderers, as Borrello brought them level just three minutes later.
The equaliser stemmed from a set piece, with Ryan Fraser playing a quick corner to Angus Thurgate, who located Borrello just outside the box.
Oluwayemi did get a hand to Borrello’s sidefooted shot, but couldn’t keep it out of the net.
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Just a minute later, the same trio of players nearly gave the Wanderers the lead, with Thurgate and Fraser combining for a quick pass before Borrello attempted to chest the ball home from close range.
The ball, however, fell to young Wanderers striker Jai Rose, who, much to Wellington’s relief, failed to convert and the teams went into half-time level at 1-1.
The Phoenix came out for the second half with renewed vigour, as Isaac Hughes and Lukas Kelly-Heald looked to force home a corner, and Eze blasted a shot just over the bar before Nagasawa netted the winner in the 56th minute.
Once again, it was an assist from Payne, as his whipped delivery into the six-yard box was expertly directed into the net by the Japanese international.
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Ryan Fraser was a shining light for Western Sydney in the final half-hour, testing Oluwayemi with a volley and a long-range attempt, while almost creating an equaliser for Bozhidar Kraev in stoppage time.
However, like much of their season, the Wanderers could not find the back of the net, leaving them to contemplate what could have been.
Western Sydney Wanderers will conclude a disappointing 2025/26 Isuzu UTE A-League campaign next Saturday when they host likely finalists Melbourne Victory at Commbank Stadium.
Meanwhile, Wellington will travel to Campbelltown Sports Stadium to face Macarthur on Friday night, in a match that could still influence the final six, depending on Melbourne City’s results.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:
WHAT THEY SAID:
Kazuki Nagasawa
Brandon Borrello
Compiled by SportArena.au
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