The Phoenix put themselves in a supremely comfortable position at Westpac Stadium, racing to a 3-0 advantage after just 20 minutes; Adrija Kaluderovic scoring twice and Roy Krishna submitting a contender for goal of the season.

They were unable to hold the lead though, as Brisbane came back from a poor first half defensive display to steal a point, with a goal to Avraam Papadopoulos and a brace for striker Massimo Maccarone, who slotted away the equalising penalty in the 82nd minute.

Here’s how we rated each player:

WELLINGTON PHOENIX

Keegan Smith (GK) – 5

The first two goals he conceded were both cases of 'good-but-not-good-enough'. Twice he adjusted to make a desperate save but he could’ve made the situation easier for himself by holding the ball or organising his wall.

Credit for getting himself involved in a stoush with Maccarone over the penalty, which was entertaining.

Ali Abbas – 6.5

Given the hard task of trying to keep Eric Bautheac honest out wide, the full-back prospered  in showing great energy penetrating the left flank, and his sense of adventure will trouble teams this year.

Tom Doyle – 6

Doyle did the simple things well as a makeshift centre back replacing Andrew Durante, but was on the back foot in the second half as Brisbane pressed for an equaliser and winner.

Daniel Mullen © – 6.5

Mullen doesn’t quite have the authoritative presence Durante possesses, but won nine of his 11 duels over the match and was generally aware of what happened around him. Didn’t quite cope with the pressure Brisbane applied late.

Scott Galloway – 5

Was taken off after 25 minutes with an injury. Didn’t do much wrong in his time on the field, and struggled to deal with Fahid Ben Khalfallah on the flanks.

Matthew Ridenton – 5.5         

Ridenton’s job was simple: help out in front of his back four, stay goal-side of the Brisbane midfielders, congest the middle third and play basic passes forward. He did it competently but unfortunately conceded the penalty at the end.

Goran Paracki – 7.5

The Croatian was solid in midfield and played some inspired passes, favouring the long diagonal to Roy Krishna several times with nearly every attempt ending successfully. Paracki broke up passes in midfield, imposed himself physically when needed, and helped stretch Brisbane horizontally.

Dario Vidosic – 7

Vidosic always looked for a meaningful pass in the first half and is more than happy to play an expansive, adventurous ball from side-to-side. Faded out of the game after half-time and was taken off in the 69th minute.

Michael McGlinchey – 8

Delivered a beautiful ball for Kaluderovic’s opener and almost scored Wellington’s fourth goal but for the VAR ruling it offside. McGlinchey played wonderful passes to find his forwards and was always lurking in good positions.

Roy Krishna – 8.5

Scored a worldie in the 19th minute when he hammered it into the top corner and gave the Roar hell as he bombed down the right flank. The Fijian was arguably the best player on the field and even in the second half when Brisbane were on top, he looked the most likely going the other way.

Andrija Kaluderovic – 7.5

Had a goal in the first 60 seconds of the game with a perfectly directed header and tapped in Wellington’s third goal to put them 3-0 up. The striker worked hard around the box and is content to pick the ball up in wide areas as well.

Dylan Fox – 5

Came on in the 25th minute for Galloway. His big moment came a few minutes after his introduction when he shouldered Bautheac off the ball halfway through a marauding run.

Gui Finkler – 5

Didn’t do a whole lot, but did have a wild slash at goal to try and win the game at the very end.

Adam Parkhouse – N/A

Came on in the 88th minute for Michael McGlinchey, but didn’t do enough to earn a rating.

BRISBANE ROAR

Michael Theo (GK) – 4

Theo couldn’t do much for the first goal, but the long-ranged shot for the second hit the back of the net at mid-height and was at his near post – saveable range. Theo looked languid for the third goal as he was slow to slide across his line, but the blame also goes to his defence.

Jade North – 3

Was accountable for every goal the Roar conceded; for the first he was comprehensively beaten in the air and the second and third goals were both created down his left side. Roy Krishna often attacked the flanks unsupported meaning North could’ve committed more to closing him down with the knowledge there wouldn’t be an overlapping defender.

Luke Devere – 4

Came off in the 39th minute, but was part of a collectively poor defence being stretched and beaten by a hungry pack of Wellington forwards.

Avraam Papadopoulos – 5

Was generally sound at holding his line and will be happy he scored a goal and won the foul for the equalising penalty, but was also part of a failing defence in the first half.

Jack Hingert – 4.5

Hingert was miles away from marking Kaluderovic for the third goal and made several well-intended but ultimately unsuccessful runs forward in the first half, but redeemed himself by sending in the cross for Brisbane’s goal before the break.

Mitchell Oxborrow – 4

Didn’t help much in providing a screen for his back four and was always chasing when the Phoenix went on the attack. Oxborrow provided little on both sides of the ball.

Matt McKay © – 6

The skipper was the most composed midfielder for Brisbane. He hardly mistimed a pass and took the reigns as the anchor of Brisbane’s midfield as Oxborrow was moved slightly more forward in the second half.

 

Brett Holman – 5

Holman started the game brightly but went missing halfway into the first half as Bautheac began to drift centrally more often.

Eric Bautheac – 7

The Frenchman and Ben Khalfallah were Brisbane’s best. Bautheac is a hard worker with a good touch and an ability to hold the ball. He outsmarts his opponents in duels and sees and reads the play well. Bautheac faded in the second half but played the pass which brought upon the equalising penalty.

Fahid Ben Khalfallah – 8

Brisbane’s best player on the day, getting himself into all sorts of dangerous positions. Ben Khalfallah attacks with purpose and always with a clear goal in mind; a trait local talent are slow to learn. Constantly gave the Wellington defence a hard time and was the leader of Brisbane’s second-half comeback. Went agonisingly close to winning the game in stoppage time.

Massimo Maccarone – 6

Maccarone was totally unsighted until he scored Brisbane’s first goal on the 45th minute, getting himself in the poacher’s position to tap it home, and then converted a penalty to level the game.

Dane Ingham – 7

Brought on in the 39th minute. The speedy, young full-back beat Krishna in a few one-on-one battles and matched him for speed. He looks very comfortable for an 18-year-old.

Peter Skapetis – N/A

Replaced Brett Holman in the 84th minute but remained anonymous.

Joe Caletti – N/A

Came on in the 88th minute for Mitchell Oxborrow. Had little impact and doesn’t warrant a rating.