WELLINGTON PHOENIX

Filip Kurto – 8

Stood up well to constant pressure on his goal, making several acrobatic saves. Very strong hand to claw away Franjic’s looping header, and a superb reach to tip Castro’s well-placed free kick around the post.

Could do nothing about Lowry’s bullet header, and understandably could only parry Castro’s volley before Ikonomidis followed in. The scoreline would have been far uglier without his heroics.

Louis Fenton – 6

Pinned back throughout most of the game, and was unable to support the front three. Disappointing individually but it was a team failure that left him stuck so deep.

Ryan Lowry – 6.5

Perhaps the best of Wellington’s makeshift defence, and undoubtedly possesses some of his brother’s hustle and physicality. Caught ball-watching a few times.

Dylan Fox – 4.5

Hasn’t started since Round 4, and his rustiness showed. Wellington sorely felt the absence of Durante’s leadership in the middle of the back three, and Fox looked unsure and uncomfortable in the system.

Tom Doyle - 5

Looked very shaky without his usual partners in the back three. Bamboozled by the dribbling of Castro and Ikonomidis. That being said, he was not given enough protection from his midfield.

Liberato Cacace – 5.5

Cacace’s strengths are more attacking than defensive, but he was rarely given an opportunity to showcase that side of his game. Franjic and Ikonomidis got in behind him time and again. Improved in the second half when Wellington had more possession.

Alex Rufer – 6.5

Generally comfortable on the ball, but Juande caught him dwelling on it just outside his own box before Keogh scored.

He has come a long way this season, but needs to work on his defensive positioning. Probably Wellington’s best contributor in the second half with some nice passes.