BILLED AS… Round one’s two most impressive sides battle for A-League supremacy.

IN REALITY… A wake-up call for Wellington Phoenix. After the previous week’s two goal comeback against defending champions Melbourne Victory, Phoenix couldn’t come close to repeating the feat against a dominant Central Coast Mariners out to destroy.

THE GOOD… Nik Mrdja and Adam Kwasnik were a revelation in attack for a side which struggled so badly upfront last season. Fed by a buoyant Dean Heffernan, the Mariners were a constant danger and all three goals were beauties.

THE BAD… Stephen O’dor at right-back for Wellington Phoenix had the kind of night that can kill careers. Heffernan and Kwasnik took him apart and left Phoenix incapable of holding back the Mariners.

THE UGLY… The Phoenix defence as a whole was hopelessly out of its depth against the triple-barrelled Mariners’ attack of Mrdja, Kwasnik and Sasho Petrovski.

THEY SAID WHAT… “It’s been a long time and it’s great to be back and great to be scoring goals. It’s sensational,” said goal hero Mrdja. It’s pretty good to watch too, Nik. Just don’t get injured again...

THE FALLOUT… Phoenix have to go back to the drawing board to ensure their game against Victory wasn’t just a flash in the pan.

Central Coast Mariners Danny Vukovic (gk), Andre Gumprecht, John Hutchinson, Dean Heffernan (Tom Pondeljak, 77’), Nik Mrdja, Tony Vidmar (cptn), Nigel Boogaard, Matthew Osman, Adam Kwasnik (Greg Owens 66’), Sasho Petrovski, Mile Jedinak (Matt Simon 84’)
Bookings John Hutchinson 63’, Tony Vidmar 90+3’
Goalscorers Mrdja 7’, 34', Kwasnik 13'

Wellington Phoenix Glen Moss (gk), Jeremy Christie, Tony Lochhead, Cleberson (Felipe 54’), Karl Dodd, Ross Aloisi (cptn), Vaughan Coveny (Royce Brownlie 61’), Shane Smeltz, Michael Ferrante, Daniel, Richard Johnson, Steven O’dor, George Paladini.
Bookings Daniel 20’, Micahel Ferrante 41’, Karl Dodd 77’
Goalscorers None

MATCHRATING 4/5