The Wellington Phoenix have lost Hideki Ishige for the remainder of the 2025-26 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Scans have revealed Ishige ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Sunday’s third round match against Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.
The Japanese playmaker has featured in all 29 A-League matches for the Phoenix since joining the club last year and led the team with eight assists in his maiden season, while also scoring two spectacular goals.
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano says his absence will be keenly felt by the whole team.
“I’m actually gutted for Hideki,” Italiano told media on Friday. “In terms of numbers last season, he [produced] the highest assists of any 10 that we’ve ever had at the club.
“He found it a little bit difficult last season to adapt initially, but there was a lot of value in him as a player.
“He’s a great person as well and I’m just gutted for him, and the group are gutted for him as well.”
