Wellington Phoenix Soar with a 3-0 Triumph Over Central Coast Mariners

In a powerful response to their first setback of the season, the Wellington Phoenix roared back with a commanding 3-0 victory over reigning champions Central Coast Mariners at Industree Group Stadium. Leading the charge was Japanese forward Hideki Ishige, whose sensational long-range free-kick opened the scoring and set the tone for a statement win.

Key Moments

15’ – Ishige’s Goal of the Season Contender: With a strong southerly wind at his back, Ishige launched a 30-meter free-kick into the top right corner, giving the Phoenix a 1-0 lead and marking his A-League account with style.

38’ – Barbarouses Doubles the Lead: On a swift counter-attack, Ishige connected with Kosta Barbarouses, who tapped into an open net after VAR overruled an offside call. This put the Phoenix firmly in control before halftime.

53’ – Sutton Seals the Victory: Sam Sutton rounded off the scoring early in the second half with a composed finish, completing a superb team move orchestrated by Ishige and Barbarouses.

Dominant Performance from Phoenix

Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano lauded his team’s response to last week’s loss, crediting their adaptability and resilience. “The group showed that they are very resilient,” Italiano said post-match. “We changed the pressing structure, and the players executed it to perfection.”

Ishige’s form, especially on the left wing, earned special praise. “Ishige was fantastic at both ends,” Italiano noted, referencing the forward’s defensive work and his clinical touch in front of goal.

Phoenix’s Tactical Precision

Despite limited training time, Italiano’s adjustments were executed flawlessly by the Phoenix, who played an intelligent and disciplined game. In addition to Ishige’s heroics, Anthony Caceres and Tiago Quintal provided structure and creativity from the midfield, while Wellington’s back line held firm against the Mariners’ attacks, keeping a clean sheet despite late pressure.

The Wellington Phoenix will next face league leaders Melbourne Victory in Sydney, aiming to build on their impressive momentum in the Unite Round.

Match Stats

• Wellington Phoenix:
  • Goals: Ishige (15’), Barbarouses (38’), Sutton (53’)
  • Yellow Cards: Sutton (34’), Nagasawa (58’)
• Central Coast Mariners:
  • Yellow Cards: Kuzevski (6’), McCalmont (45+2’), Doka (45’)

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