The Wellington Phoenix have been forced to settle for a share of the spoils in their 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season opener.
Western United have come back from a goal down at halftime to draw 1-1 with the Phoenix on a sunny Wellington afternoon at Sky Stadium.
Reigning player of the year Kosta Barbarouses put the Nix in front in first half stoppage time and they had chances to extend their advantage in the second half.
But Western finished the match the stronger of the two sides and midfielder Angus Thurgate drew them level 13 minutes from fulltime.
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano is disappointed to have not taken all three points from their opening match.
“The fact that we controlled up until the 60/65th minute, we had most of the game,” Italiano told media post-match.
“I think the pendulum kind of swung when both teams made their subs and they just had more legs in the end.
“Uncharacteristic the goal that we conceded. Even top of the box we should be blocking those shots. Joshy might have lost sight of the ball [but] I think he could still save that.
“But in saying that I can’t fault the boys in trying to execute what I asked for throughout pre-season.”
He was full of praise of a livewire performance from the ageless Barbarouses.
“That’s why I didn’t take him off. I felt as though he could get us a goal.
“I always feel like even if he doesn’t touch the ball for long periods if the ball gets into the box he’s going to be really effective.
“It was a really well taken goal but on a good day today he probably scores three to be fair.”
And Italiano is urging patience as the team evolves.
“I’ve always said we need games, we need more of a focus on the cohesion and the chemistry within the group and player understanding.
“We had three or four moments today that were really nice to watch and it was just that final ball and execution [that let us down].
“If we were a little bit more brave we could have made another five or six really big chances.
“Give us four, five, maybe six games I think those chances start falling in and then it’s going be very hard to play us.”
Giancarlo Italiano included new signings Josh Oluwayemi, Hideki Ishige and Kazuki Nagasawa in his starting XI, along with reserves forward Nathan Walker. Scholarship signings Corban Piper and Jayden Smith and reserves captain Xuan Loke were named amongst the substitutes.
The first quarter of an hour was relatively uneventful with it taking time for both sides to settle into the new season.
Western United had the better of the early possession without managing a shot at goal.
The Nix had to wait until the 18th minute to have their first attempt, with Alex Rufer heading Ishige’s left wing corner over the bar.
Tim Payne had a left-footed shot deflect over the bar soon after before Kosta Barbarouses flashed a left-foot effort of his own narrowly wide of Matthew Sutton’s left-hand post.
Payne, who was employed in a right wingback role, also made a important defensive intervention in the 26th minute, heading a Riku Danzaki cross over Wellington’s goal as Hiroshi Ibusuki was ready to pounce.
There were few moments of note until first half stoppage time when Barbarouses put the Phoenix in front.
The veteran forward finished from close range after Isaac Hughes headed an Ishige free-kick into the six-yard box.
Barbarouses had an opportunity to double Wellington’s lead early in the second half when he got in behind the Western defence but he overhit his attempted chip.
He was down prone in the Western box soon after when he collided with Western’s ‘keeper, but referee Adam Kersey deemed there was no foul play.
Kosta Barbarouses was at the centre of most of the Phoenix’s best moments going forward and he attempted an audacious overhead kick in the 64th minute but was unable to keep his effort down and it ballooned over the goal.
Apart from a few anxious moments for the fans as the Nix played out from the back, Wellington’s defence was resolute until midway through the second half.
Italiano made his first change in the 67th minute, bringing on Iraq international Mo Al-Taay in place of the hard-working Fin Roa Conchie. David Ball came on soon after in place of Hideki Ishige, while Jayden Smith came on for his A-League debut in the 87th minute.
The visitors were getting stronger as the game progressed and drew level 13 minutes from fulltime when Thurgate pounced on a loose ball at the top of the box and threaded a shot through bodies and inside the right post.
Phoenix captain Alex Rufer had a great chance to restore Wellington’s advantage from a similar position five minutes later, but he sprayed his effort high and wide of goal.
It was to be the last real opportunity for the Nix as they were forced to settle for a point.
The Wellington Phoenix will now prepare to make the long journey to Perth to play the Glory in round two on Saturday night.
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE (12. Mohamed AL-TAAY 67th), 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 9. Hideki ISHIGE (10. David BALL 72nd), 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN (39. Jayden SMITH 87th), 41. Nathan WALKER.
Unused substitutes: 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 24. Oskar VAN HATTUM, 36. Xuan LOKE.
Western United: 33. Matthew SUTTON (gk), 4. James DONACHIE, 5. Oliver LAVALE (14. Jake NAJDOVSKI 83rd), 6. Timoki IMAI (c), 9. Hiroshi IBUSUKI (19. Noah BOTIC 67th), 10, Matthew GRIMALDI, 13. Tate RUSSELL (30. Dylan LEONARD 83rd), 21. Sebastian PASQUALI (23. Rhys BOZINOVSKI 71st), 29. Charbel SHAMOON, 32. Angus THURGATE, 77. Riku DANZAKI (20. Abel WALATEE 71st).
Unused substitutes: 1. Thomas HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 37. Luke VICKERY.
Goals:
7. Kosta BARBAROUSES (Wellington Phoenix) – 45+2
32. Angus THURGATE (Western United) – 77th
Cards:
21. Sebastian PASQUALI (Western United) – yellow – 45+132. Angus THURGATE (Western United) – yellow – 90+2
