A large committed away contingent saw the Wanderers put the Phoenix to the sword with a clinical win that sees them finish in second place on the table, securing a berth in the semi-finals.
Western Sydney spoiled Wellington’s farewell to defensive stalwarts Manny Muscat and Ben Sigmund in a 2-0 result, with Brendon Santalab at the double. In a rare start for Santalab after he has been utilised as a ‘super sub’ to devastating effect this season, the Wanderers made the most of their opportunities while the Phoenix wasted a number of goalscoring chances.
Romeo Castelen was immense, providing both assists for Santalab, and looked a constant threat with his pace and power. A surging run down the right and a dangerous low cross from Castelen resulted in Santalab stabbing home for the first goal, and his through-ball after some great hold up play led to the second.
Nothing went right for the Phoenix, as they spurned some key chances to find the back of the net. Roly Bonevacia beat keeper Andrew Redmayne all ends up in the 61st minute, but his low drive rattled off the inside of the left upright and trickled across the face of the goal.
Despite the return of holding midfielder Dimas from suspension to the Wanderers midfield alongside his fellow Spanish partner in crime Andreu, the Phoenix won the possession battle and deserved more from this match on the balance of play.
Hundreds of dedicated travelling Red and Black Bloc (RBB) fans cheered their side on with constant chanting and singing in an impressive display. They were treated to a fantastic finishing display by Santalab, who made a rare start for the second match in succession and really staked his claim to be a prominent feature in the Wanderers’ finals campaign.
Another strong performance from Castelen, after his powerful display last week against the Mariners, will send shudders down the spines of the other finalists’ defences. He looms as a real x-factor for the Wanderers with his ability to create and run at opposition defenders.
The Wanderers are a serious title contender
This win locked in second place for Western Sydney, and earned them a week off and a pathway straight through to a semi-final.
They are a very compact and well organised side, with Spaniards Dimas and Andreu pulling the strings and dictating play from midfield. Captain Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Alberto have formed a solid defensive partnership at the back, which has resulted in the Wanderers conceding the second least amount of goals in the league this season.
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Full-backs Scott Jamieson and Scott Neville provide marauding overlapping runs, and with the attacking prowess of Mark Bridge, Mitch Nichols, Castelen and Santalab, the Wanderers provide a constant attacking threat.
The dedication of the travelling RBB was fantastic to see
The Wanderers have some of the most passionate supporters in the country in the RBB, and the hundreds of fans who travelled over to Wellington created a fantastic atmosphere.
It is rare to see so many away fans travel to Wellington to cheer their side on, and hats off to the RBB for providing brilliant support for their team.
This is brilliant! https://t.co/klb1OqnZXE
— Outside90 (@Outside90) April 10, 2016
Kosta Barbarouses and Gui Finkler must be having doubts
After starring for the Melbourne Victory over the last few seasons, both attacking guns have decided to sign with the Phoenix and will don the yellow and black for the 2016-17 A-League season.
While they will clearly bolster the Phoenix squad and instantly provide much more of an attacking threat, they must be having some doubts as to how much success they are likely to achieve in a side that has just completed a rather dismal season in second-last place.
However, it will be exciting to see how they will fit into a system with Bonevacia and Krishna, and after at least two retirements the Phoenix will undoubtedly rejuvenate the squad with some new players.
Romeo Castelen could be the man to light up the finals
A frustrating figure at times for the Wanderers, the Dutchman has found form at exactly the right time and will prove vital to their finals hopes.
At his best he looks almost unstoppable with his ability to dribble at pace and take on defenders, and he dominated for the second match in succession. After scoring a cracking goal last week from long-range, he laid on a great low cross for Santalab to open the scoring, and followed that up with a perfect through-ball for the second goal.
Castelen could have scored one or two himself after spurning some decent opportunities in the second half, particularly when he fluffed his lines and horribly mis-hit a shot that sailed over.
If he can continue in this rich vein of form, the Wanderers attacking threat will cause headaches for any defence they will come up against in the finals.
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