Western Sydney Wanderers secured a second place finish with a 2-0 win over Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.
Brendon Santalab’s double separated the two sides and guaranteed a week off and a home semi-final, leapfrogging Brisbane Roar on goal difference.
It was Ben Sigmund’s final match as a professional after the stalwart defender announced his retirement from football.
Experienced campaigner Manny Muscat was also featuring for the last time in a Phoenix shirt, as he secured a move to Melbourne City next season.
Santalab was extremely unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty when he was bundled over inside the area.
Michael McGlinchey fired a sumptuous strike from distance, beating the outstretched Andrew Redmayne, but was agonisingly denied by the post.
The Wanderers had a glorious chance to take the lead as Romeo Castelen cut inside the box onto his left foot and skied his shot over the crossbar.
Blake Powell flashed a thunderous strike at Redmayne though he was equal to it, sensationally tipping the ball over the bar.
However, the visitors soon grabbed the opener as Castelen’s low cross was scrambled across the line by Santalab.
And he completed his brace just before the interval, smacking a low range drive which rifled into the bottom corner.
The Wanderers continued to press for a third following the restart; Mitch Nichols involved in many of the attacking moves.
Wellington’s Roly Bonevacia hit the woodwork from 15 yards out with Redmayne again rooted to the spot.
Sigmund brought proceedings to a halt, as he left the field to a standing ovation.
The result brings to an end a disappointing campaign for the Phoenix, while the Wanderers look forward to hosting a home semi-final in a fortnight’s time.
Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter:
Legends of @WgtnPhoenixFC #WELvWSW @Siggy2010 #Legends pic.twitter.com/ouvrlIjG8H
— Brandon Clarke (@kiwibardy) April 10, 2016
You know it's a clear pen when even the NZ commentators say it is #WELvWSW
— Oli Murray (@Oli_Murray) April 10, 2016
That's a pen for mine #WELvWSW
— Josh Howe (@JoshO567) April 10, 2016
THAT WAS A PENALTY #WELvWSW
— Sophie (@SophEdmondstone) April 10, 2016
Lot of space for both teams in this game. Will be shocked if there are not quite a few goals
— Ray Gatt (@Gatty54) April 10, 2016
Can't hear Wellington sing! We'll sing on our own! #BestAwayFans #WELvWSW
— Shaheen D'Machine (@RednBlack_Bok) April 10, 2016
We're not playing like a team deserving of a top 2 place…? #WELvWSW
— Jarrad (@JarradHD) April 10, 2016
Some good volume from the #WSW support at @WestpacStadium Impressive.
A good Wellington crowd dribbling in to support the Nix too #WELvWSW— Andrew McGoff (@KloppGoff) April 10, 2016
Probably appropriate to dust the original stripey off for today's game #WELvWSW pic.twitter.com/gQJNLgtUzw
— Dale Warburton (@Dale_Warburton) April 9, 2016
Don't leave straight after the Nix game today. Special farewells for Manny Muscat and Ben Sigmund post-match on the big screen #WELvWSW
— Jason Pine (@pineyzb) April 10, 2016
How you know the @RBB_net are in town #WELvWSW pic.twitter.com/we2YQ7wvGt
— Yellow Fever (@YellowFever_NZ) April 10, 2016
Farewell @Siggy2010. An A-League icon, bandaged and bruised to the bitter end #WELvWSW pic.twitter.com/Ty0Ych5xIs
— Sebastian Hassett (@sebth) April 10, 2016
Standing ovation for @Siggy2010 as he leaves the field for the final time. https://t.co/vo4C7Nw8LH #WELvWSW pic.twitter.com/2xo1YX18xl
— FOX SPORTS Football (@FOXFootballLive) April 10, 2016
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