It was a niggling start to the cross-Tasman clash played on the Sunshine Coast, both sides guilty of giving away cheap fouls, but it was Queensland who had the best of the early chances, Wellington going unpunished after the Roar failed to capitalise on several free-kicks in the opening minutes.

In the 18th minute the home side's early persistence paid off, when Massimo Murdocca found himself in space on the left flank. The midfielder did well to beat some heavy Phoenix defence, before cutting back to a waiting Sergio Van Djik at the top of the box, who finished coolly with a surging strike into the top right-hand corner.

Wellington responded quickly, some good build up play setting up their first shot on goal ten minutes later when Michael Ferrante drilled the ball hard towards the top corner, but an outstanding save from Roar keeper Liam Reddy denied the visitors.

Phoenix defender Jon McKain was shown a yellow card by referee Regis Queffelec in the 39th minute when he took Roar striker Tim Smits down on the edge of the box with a tackle from behind but the resulting free-kick from Van Djik floated wide.

Phoenix came out faster in the second half, Reddy tested early as the visitors peppered his goal forcing him to make another brilliant save in the 61st minute, when he pushed Troy Hearfield's scorching shot from the top of the box over the bar.

Phoenix evened the score in the 74th minute when the Roar's backline failed to clear a ball directly in front of goal. New Phoenix recruit Adam Kwasnik pounced on the gifted chance, smashing it home and leaving Reddy stranded.

Farina's men were lucky not to find themselves behind when Smeltz fired another shot born of a Roar defensive error minutes later which went just wide.

While both sides surged forward in the dying minutes, neither could find the back of the net, and both sides were left to take home a point each.