The Wellington Phoenix's troubles deepened on December 17, 2024, as they suffered their third consecutive defeat of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League, losing 4-1 to the Western Sydney Wanderers at CommBank Stadium. This latest setback has left the Phoenix languishing at ninth place on the league table, raising concerns about their ability to bounce back from recent poor form.
After what had been a promising season for the Phoenix under the leadership of head coach Giancarlo Italiano, who led the team to the semi-finals last year, the club's fortunes have taken a turn for the worse. After bolstering their squad for the season, the loss of key players to overseas transfers, including Ben Old and Finn Surman, has contributed to their current struggles, with only three wins and four losses from their first eight matches.
Italiano reflected on the difficulties his team faced during the match, noting, "It's disappointing more than anything. We gifted them three of the four goals - well probably actually four." He cited defensive errors and hesitancy around their own box as significant contributors to the loss. This defeat marks the first time this season the Phoenix has conceded four goals under his stewardship.
The match started poorly for Wellington, as they conceded inside the opening minute. Western Sydney forward Brandon Borrello capitalized on defensive errors, slipping past Isaac Hughes to assist Zac Sapsford, who swept the ball home from near the penalty spot to give the Wanderers the lead.
Shortly after, Borrello was involved again, setting up former Wellington midfielder Bozhidar Kraev, who calmly slotted the ball past Phoenix goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi, doubling the Wanderers' lead within ten minutes. The Phoenix found themselves on the back foot early and struggled to convert their chances. Despite showing flashes of promise late in the first half, they were unable to threaten Wanderers' goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas effectively.
Italiano made tactical adjustments at halftime, bringing on academy graduates Matt Sheridan and Nathan Walker, but it wasn't until the second half when the Phoenix found their stride. A spectacular overhead kick from Japanese forward Hideki Ishige brought the 'Nix back to 2-1, giving them hope of leveling the match. Ishige's goal came after he controlled a mis-hit shot from Kazuki Nagasawa, expertly lifting it over the goalkeeper's head.
But the joy was short-lived. Just moments later, replacement Marcus Antonsson restored Western Sydney's two-goal cushion, scoring shortly after coming on as a substitute. The match concluded with Wanderers' midfielder Dylan Scicluna adding their fourth goal deep in stoppage time, sealing the heavy defeat for the Phoenix.
Post-match, Italiano expressed optimism, highlighting the side's effort during the second half. "To be fair, I was very happy with the group, the way they bounced back," he said, pointing out their strong play after Ishige's goal. He continued, "If we had scored to make it 2-all, the whole complexion of the game would have changed."
Despite the disappointing loss, Italiano remains focused on the road ahead, familiar with the ups and downs of coaching. "I don’t think I’m the first manager to lose three in a row. There are some high-profile managers at the moment going through a bit of a rough patch," he acknowledged. He emphasized the importance of learning from these experiences, stating, "For us, it’s a learning opportunity. I’m going to go back to Wellington now and get prepared for the Jets next week."
The Phoenix are set to face the Newcastle Jets at home next Saturday. Italiano will hope to rally his team, spurring them on to regain their form and secure much-needed points as they continue their A-League campaign. The upcoming match offers the Phoenix not only the chance to redeem themselves following this loss but also to assert their position as genuine contenders for the A-League title, as they find themselves at a pivotal juncture of the season.
