Phoenix’s Finals Hopes Dashed in Brisbane as Roar Clinch 1-0 Win

BRISBANE, Australia (PS) — Wellington Phoenix’s faint hopes of salvaging their A-League Men’s season ended on Saturday after a 1-0 defeat to Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium, consigning them to a bottom-four finish and a trip to Darwin for next month’s Australia Cup play-offs.

Florin Berenguer’s second-half strike sealed the Roar’s victory in a match where both sides struggled on a deteriorating pitch. Wellington rallied after conceding but could not break through Brisbane’s defensive line.

“We just made too many basic errors,” Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano said post-match. “The pitch wasn’t great, but that’s no excuse. I expected a stronger response in the second half.”

The defeat capped a frustrating night for the Phoenix, who fielded an unchanged starting XI but failed to generate consistent attacking pressure despite energetic cameos from young substitutes Luke Brooke-Smith and Nathan Walker.

Brisbane Takes Control After Sluggish Start

The opening half offered few highlights, with both sides battling for control in difficult conditions. Brisbane’s Sam Klein rattled the post with a thunderous strike in the 10th minute, while Wellington’s best early chance came when Kosta Barbarouses squared to Hideki Ishige, whose effort trickled wide.

Brisbane looked more threatening from set pieces, with captain Jay O’Shea narrowly missing from distance and testing Phoenix goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi with a free kick just past the half-hour mark.

Oluwayemi was again called into action early in the second half, but could do little when Berenguer unleashed a powerful volley in the 58th minute to give Brisbane the lead.

Italiano Turns to Youth

Trailing 1-0, Italiano introduced Brooke-Smith, Walker, and returning midfielder Paulo Retre in a triple change that sparked Wellington’s best spell of the match.

Walker forced Roar goalkeeper Matt Acton into a sharp save in the 65th minute, while teenager Brooke-Smith set up Corban Piper for another close-range opportunity moments later.

Barbarouses threatened with a stinging left-footed shot that narrowly missed the target, and defender Tim Payne surged forward in search of an equalizer, but the Phoenix’s finishing touch deserted them.

Despite a late push, Wellington could not breach the Roar defense. Their final opportunity came deep into stoppage time when Brooke-Smith again slipped Piper into the box, only for his cross to go unanswered.

What’s Next

The Phoenix will return to Wellington on Sunday before preparing for their final regular season match against Perth Glory at Sky Stadium on Friday night.

Italiano, while disappointed with the outcome, praised the energy brought by his younger players.

“They gave us good energy and created chances,” he said. “We just couldn’t put it all together tonight.”