After almost a year away from New Zealand, Wellington Phoenix were finally back on Easter Sunday but it did not go according to plan.
On home soil for the first time since May last year, the Phoenix were routed 4-0 by Central Coast Mariners in front of more than 18,000 spectators at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points from the Isuzu UTE A-League on Sunday.
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: WELLINGTON PHOENIX 0-4 CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
REACTION
‘Nix can’t hide disappointment after being hit for four
Easter Sunday had promised so much for Wellington and their supporters.
Back at home for the first time in 322 days and flying high in pursuit of the finals.
However, after a bright start, the Phoenix were put to the sword by a ruthless Central Coast Mariners 4-0 at Sky Stadium.
“You can’t really [sum up the disappointment],” Wellington captain Oli Sail told Sky Sports afterwards.
“It was a big occasion for us and a lot of excitement within the group and an important match going into the finals.
“We didn’t really stake out claim for that finals spot. It was about presenting and result for all the people who came out tonight and deserved the fixture after two hard years. Really disappointed to let them down.”
A crowd of 18,184 watched fifth-placed Wellington miss the chance to further cement their place in the top six.
Sail had nothing but praise for the fans after being forced to watch from a far for so long.
“It was amazing and we can’t thank them enough,” he added. “They’ve been through a lot over the last two years. They’ve felt every blow that we have not being able to play here.
“We can’t thank them enough for coming out in numbers. We’re really sorry to disappoint.”
Beware the Mariners, says Birighitti
The Mariners still have plenty of work to do to reach the Isuzu UTE A-League finals, “four cup finals” in fact, according to star goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.
Central Coast are eighth and within two points of the top six after flipping the script and crushing Wellington Phoenix 4-0 in their New Zealand homecoming.
The Mariners’ final four fixtures include a pair of F3 Derbies against Newcastle Jets and games against high-flying Western United and Brisbane Roar.
“We just take it one game at a time,” Birighitti told Sky Sports post-game. “We go back and recover… We have four cup finals now.
“Come finals time, if we make it, we can cause a real upset.”
It was the perfect birthday present for Birighitti, who kept a clean sheet in Central Coast’s 150th ALM victory.
“Amazing,” Birighitti told Sky Sports afterwards. “Just what we asked for at the start of the game. Massive effort from the lads to come here. We knew it would be a hostile crowd. Had to put in the performance that we did. Couldn’t be more proud.”
The Mariners weathered a Phoenix storm to open the match – Central Coast were fortunate not to concede inside the first 20 minutes in Wellington.
But once the Mariners settled, they took control against the run of play via Nkololo.
The Mariners added another three goals in the second half – Jason Cummings, Moresche and Matt Hatch.
“We knew before the game they were going to have a good start because they wanted to impress in front of their supporters,” Birighitti said. “But we stuck to our game plan… to come here it, it’s a tough place to come.
“But full credit to Wellington and their supporters. They done it tough the past two years. For them to play in front of their home supporters, I couldn’t be any happier. A fantastic turnout.”
More than 18,000 fans attended Wellington’s first home match since May last year and Birighitti was in awe.
“It’s hostile, a tough environment especially when their team is doing well,” he added. “I have to give them full credit, they are amazing. They come out week in, week out to support their team.”
Cummings: Mariners different class
All eyes were on the Phoenix on Sunday. It was all about Wellington on their long-awaited return to New Zealand.
It was a sea of yellow and black, with the strong Wellington crowd making plenty of noise.
But the finals-chasing Mariners silenced the hosts, spoiling the party in incredible fashion.
Mariners goalscorer Jason Cummings said: “It was perfect. We knew it would be difficult for us. The atmosphere was good. Came all the way to New Zealand and got the job done – 4-0 and clean sheet.
“The three points the most important because it’s getting tight there. We want to get the top six. So do Phoenix. It’s going to be close. We needed the three points and we turned up.”
Central Coast celebrated back-to-back wins over Wellington for the first time since January 2016 as the Phoenix had their 11-match unbeaten streak on home soil snapped.
While Birighitti was singled out for praise, Cummings hailed the entire Mariners squad post-match.
“He turned up on his birthday. He has been different class for us every game. He leads by example, captain. He always turns up when we need him,” said the Scotsman.
“We scored four goals. I think the team all-round was different class, every single player. We got it right today and deserved to win.”
Full-time: Mariners crash the party
Whatever the Phoenix had planned for their homecoming was thrown out the window by the finals-chasing Mariners in Wellington.
Central Coast spoiled the party in Wellington’s long-awaited homecoming, taking home the Easter chocolates thanks to Beni Nkololo, Jason Cummings, Moresche and Matt Hatch.
The Mariners remains eighth in the standings but just two points adrift of sixth-placed Macarthur, while the ‘Nix are fifth and three points better off than Central Coast.
It is Central Coast’s 150th ALM win as they claim back-to-back wins over Wellington for the first time since January 2016.
96′ Goal 0-4: Mariners complete the rout
With the last kick of the game, Central Coast add even more gloss to scoreline via Matt Hatch in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Hatch comes off the bench and beats a helpless Oli Sail to cap a wonderful afternoon for the Mariners.
‘Nix draw a big Easter crowd
It hasn’t gone according to plan on the field, but Wellington supporters have enjoyed their fun in the sun.
Over 18,000 fans have packed into Sky Stadium for Wellington’s first home match since May last year, and on Easter Sunday too.
65′ Goal 0-3: Floodgates open as Mariners move clear
The Mariners have well and truly thrown away the script.
Three minutes after making it 2-0, Central Coast are now well clear thanks to Moresche’s second goal of the season.
It’s a well-taken goal by the Brazilian, with the Phoenix collapsing on home soil.
62′ Goal 0-2: Cummins doubles the lead
Just as the ‘Nix fans grow into full voice after David Ball sent a glancing header wide of the post, the Mariners got up the other end and make it 2-0.
In a similar scene to the opening goal, Moresche’s header crashed off the woodwork and Cummins is on hand to put the ball in the back of the net.
It’s his seventh goal of the season for the Mariners.
57′ Cummings almost makes it 2-0 for the Mariners
Central Coast are not taking their foot of the pedal in this second half.
The ball falls to Socceroos hopeful Jason Cummings but the Scotsman is unable to sort his feet inside the box and a great opportunity goes begging.
Big let off for the Phoenix.
Half-time: Mariners the party-poopers
All eyes were on the Phoenix, but don’t sleep on the finals-chasing Mariners.
Nkololo’s 26th-minute strike for Central Coast is what separates the two teams at half-time.
Wellington are unbeaten in their last 11 ALM matches on home soil.
Are Central Coast about to snap that run?
‘Nix have to achieve a season first if they’re to win
Wellington have their work cut out today, if their form this season is anything to go by.
The Phoenix are the only team in 2021-22 yet to record a point from a losing position.
26′ Goal 0-1: Nkololo silences the Wellington crowd
You can hear a pin drop as the Mariners take the lead against the run of play approaching the half-hour mark.
The Phoenix dispossess the Mariners and charge through on goal – David Ball forcing a fine save from Mark Birighitti.
Central Coast – who have weathered a storm and bided their time – rebound at the other end moments later, with Beni Nkololo finding the back of the net to silence home fans.
21′ Piscopo pulling the Phoenix strings
Piscopo is dazzling in front of the Yellow Fever.
He sets up Gael Sandoval, putting the ball on a platter for the Mexican, who is unable to direct his effort on target.
Wellington have had a host of opportunities to break the deadlock but it remains 0-0.
10′ Phoenix dominating early proceedings
Back in front of their supporter base and Wellington have enjoyed a strong start to the match through 10 minutes.
Reno Piscopo has been a livewire as Phoenix dictate proceedings with 80% possession.
It’s all Wellington and the fans are loving it. All that’s missing is a goal.
1′ And we’re underway!
The referee blows the whistle and A-League Men football is officially back in New Zealand.
Wellington look up for it, and so do their fans, who are providing plenty of noise and colour.
Embracing the occasion key as anticipation grows
The atmosphere is building in Wellington, where the Phoenix and Mariners are going through their paces.
All eyes are on the Phoenix on this big occasion, 322 days since their last match on home soil.
Phoenix head coach Ufuk Talay is relishing the return of football in front of Wellington’s fans.
Very excited, very excited for the occasion,” Talay told Sky Sports pre-game. “I think it’s going to be a great game for the boys.
“I think they’ll get the support they need. We haven’t had that support back in Australia so very excited for the game.”
What’s the key on a big day for the Phoenix?
Talay added: “For me it’s to embrace the energy of the supporters and bring that into the game but don’t get lost in the occasion.“
“It’s been a long time since we’ve been home, so the crowd will make a massive impact on the players I’m sure. Hopefully they draw that energy from the supporters into the game,” he said.
Opta insight
- Central Coast Mariners have won two of their last three A-League Men matches against Wellington Phoenix (L1), after losing six consecutive games against them prior; they will be aiming for back-to-back wins against the Phoenix for the first time since January 2016.
- Wellington have lost only one of their last eight ALM matches against the Mariners at Sky Stadium (W5, D2) and have won their last three in succession – their longest winning run against the Mariners at the venue.
- This is set to be the Phoenix’ first ALM match in New Zealand since a 2-2 draw against Perth Glory at Eden Park in May 2021; Wellington are undefeated in their last 11 games on home soil (W9, D2) – only once have they recorded a longer unbeaten run in the country (14 – W7, D7 – November 2008 to December 2009).
- Central Coast have drawn their last three away games and haven’t won as the designated away team on the day in the competition since a 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium in the opening matchweek of the 2021-22 campaign.
- The Phoenix are the only team yet to log a single competition point from a losing position in the ALM this season; however, no team have dropped more competition points from winning positions in the competition than the Mariners (15).
- The Mariners have scored just 28% of their goals within the first halves of games on the day, the lowest rate of any team, while only Melbourne Victory (two) have conceded fewer first-half goals this season than the Phoenix (eight).
- Wellington’s Jaushua Sotirio has made four carries ending in a goal in the 2021-22 ALM season, more than any other player in the competition.
- Kye Rowles of the Mariners has made 93 clearances and blocked 26 shots this season, more than any other player in either category.
Wellington’s 322-day wait ends
At long last, the Phoenix return to Wellington. It’s the first game of the season on home soil for the ‘Nix, with travel restrictions between Australia and New Zealand lifting in time for the club to schedule their long-awaited return to Sky Stadium.
Last season a similar event occurred, with Ufuk Talay’s side coming home to dominate Western United in a 3-0 win 433 days on from their last game in Wellington.
The ‘Nix last played on home soil in May, 2021 – 322 days prior to this weekend’s clash with Central Coast Mariners, who travel to Sky Stadium eager to spoil the party.
Wellington are fifth in the A-League Men, two points better off than seventh-placed Sydney FC with three games in hand. Central Coast are eighth and five points adrift of Macarthur FC, who occupy the final play-off spot.
