The Wanderers dominated the first 65 minutes, looking electric on the ball and taking the lead through Brendan Santalab.

But Phoenix rescued themselves through a superb Serb, Matija Ljujic showing his quality with a phenomenal late strike.

Ultimately, Wellington had late chances to win, but a draw was a fair result. Western Sydney paid for their lethargy once again.

Wellington Phoenix

Lewis Italiano – 6.5: Likes to sell dummies, which made him the most exciting Wellington player in the first half. Little else to do, except pick off the occasional cross.      

Daniel Mullen – 6.5: He’s a powerful player, and an all-round asset to Wellington.   

Tom Doyle - 6: Not a convincing crosser and looked vulnerable pressing forward, but a very willing worker.

Marco Rossi - 5: Driving runs forward, but left Mark Bridge with acres of space when pushing up-field and was withdrawn at half time.        

Andrew Durante – 7.5: Two games from the all-time A-League appearance record, and at 35 he’s still got it in spades.     

Dylan Fox – 6: Shaky at times and lost Santalab for the first goal. Withdrawn injured on the 60th minute.

Michael McGlinchey – 4: Sloppy control to waste a brilliant opportunity early and shot poorly for his other chance. Withdrawn at half time. 

Goran Paracki – 5: Very average tackling and lost possession easily; generally tedious on the ball.

Matthew Ridenton – 6: Exhibited impressive attacking vision, but lost the ball easily and horribly butchered the chance to win the match.    

Andrija Kaluderovic – 6.5: Penetrating passing, slightly slow reactions.    

Roy Krishna – 6.5: Forced deep where he lost possession regularly and squandered his crosses and early balls, but his power and placement is always dangerous.

Subs

Matija Ljujic – 8: Had an immediate impact and scored a stunner, perfectly directed from long range.

Nathan Burns – 6.5: Pressed forward purposefully, with mixed results.

Scott Galloway – 6: Dispossessed too easily at times, taking a long time to adjust to the matches’ rhythm.

Western Sydney Wanderers

Vedran Janjetovic – 7: Strong early save on Krishna, but then his decision-making faltered a little. Had zero chance with the equaliser.

Raúl Llorente – 6.5: Very inconsistent from crosses, but when he pulls them off they’re classy.        

Jack Clisby - 6: Poor timed crosses and some questionable decision-making, but he nullified Krishna, which is no easy feat.

Brendan Hamill - 6: Technically adept for a backliner and solid defensively to boot, but commitment can quickly become recklessness, and he suffered a late red card as a result.

Michael Thwaite – 6.5: Well positioned to make some key clearances and interceptions.      

Kearyn Baccus: - 7: Immediately energetic, providing powerful driving runs. He and Bonevacia incessantly dispossessed Wellington by tracking back.

Steven Lustica – 6.5: Solid display, distributing efficiently without ever becoming particularly involved.

Roly Bonevacia: 7.5 - Pressured Wellington from kick off, knicking the ball regularly and carrying the ball forward with ease, but quickly ran out of legs 

Oriol Riera: 7 - He can cause issues aerially and can find teammates, but has little dynamism, and never looks convincing driving at defenders.

Playing behind Santalab doesn’t suit him, but interchanging caused havoc.

Mark Bridge – 7: Always a threat, turned off the back of Rossi intelligently and found space with ease.

Brendon Santalab – 7: Brilliant volleyed goal, a rocketed finish into the right corner. Played solidly as well, but was withdrawn on the 50th minute.

Subs

Marcelo Carrusca – 5: Couldn’t steady the ship when he was required, handing the midfield advantage to Wellington.

Tass Mourdoukoutas – N/A: Brought on late to replace Hamill.