{"id":324808,"date":"2025-03-16T23:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-16T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/?p=324808"},"modified":"2025-03-16T23:59:34","modified_gmt":"2025-03-16T10:59:34","slug":"isuzu-ute-a-league-round-23-match-review-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/isuzu-ute-a-league-round-23-match-review-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Isuzu UTE A-League Round 23 Match Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Wellington Phoenix have secured a hard-earned point on the road to snap their run of four defeats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Phoenix have fought back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with finals-chasing Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.<br><br>Kosta Barbarouses drew the Nix level shortly before halftime with his 101<sup>st<\/sup> A-League goal after the Sky Blues had taken the lead inside 10 minutes.<br><br>Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano was \u201cvery happy\u201d with the performance from his side.<br><br>\u201cThere\u2019s no hiding the fact we\u2019ve been going through a rough trot [and] group morale is down, [but] the boys gave me everything today,\u201d Italiano told media post-match.<br><br>\u201cI\u2019m extremely proud. It was easy to give up after one-nil.<br><br>\u201cI\u2019m disappointed in the end that we didn\u2019t win because we actually had some really good moments there to transition and capitalise.<br><br>\u201cBut when teams are a little bit down in confidence sometimes execution technically isn\u2019t there, but I\u2019m extremely proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Match Highlights | Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/z4hgfEn7jYw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Italiano hopes the draw serves as a turning point and is looking forward to further galvanising the squad during the international break.<br><br>\u201cThis result tonight will go a long way to getting us to where we need to.<br><br>\u201cMy job now is to build believe in the group and to stick to being humble and hard-working and let the football sort itself out.<br><br>\u201cWe can work on this new system that we\u2019re playing, consolidate and get ready for Wanderers.<br><br>\u201cWe\u2019re going to be at home. I want to get a home win for the fans. I think they deserve it despite all the things that have been said. It doesn\u2019t matter how we win.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"324812\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/isuzu-ute-a-league-round-23-match-review-3\/a-league-men-rd-23-sydney-fc-v-wellington-phoenix-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339693.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"5467,3644\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Sam Sutton of the Phoenix competes with Joel King of Sydney during the round 23 A-League Men match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\\\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1742154207&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2025 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00078634898167807&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;A-League Men Rd 23 - Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-League Men Rd 23 &#8211; Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA &#8211; MARCH 16: Sam Sutton of the Phoenix competes with Joel King of Sydney during the round 23 A-League Men match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339693.jpg?w=300\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339693.jpg?w=1200\" height=\"800\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339693.jpg?w=1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-324812\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339693.jpg 5467w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339693.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339693.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339693.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339693.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339693.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA &#8211; MARCH 16: Sam Sutton of the Phoenix competes with Joel King of Sydney during the round 23 A-League Men match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Giancarlo Italiano made three changes to the XI which started last weekend\u2019s defeat to Western United with Josh Oluwayemi, Paulo Retre and Lukas Kelly-Heald coming into the side in place of Alby Kelly-Heald, Marco Rojas and Corban Piper respectively. Alby Kelly-Heald and Rojas weren\u2019t considered because of injuries.<br><br>The Phoenix found themselves a goal down inside 10 minutes for the second straight match. Joe Lolley delivered a perfectly weighted through ball for Adrian Segecic, who slotted past an onrushing Oluwayemi in the seventh minute.<br><br>The Sky Blues also had a couple of shots from distance sail narrowly over the bar.<br><br>Sydney goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares was twice quick off his line in the first 20 minutes to snuff out a couple of opportunities for the Nix.<br><br>Kosta Barbarouses had Wellington\u2019s first shot midway through the first half with an audacious long-range effort from the centre circle. But there would be no repeat of his spectacular goal against Newcastle late last year, as this time his shot drifted wide of goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"324814\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/isuzu-ute-a-league-round-23-match-review-3\/a-league-men-rd-23-sydney-fc-v-wellington-phoenix-5\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339494.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"3939,2626\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Francisco Geraldes of the Phoenix competes with Corey Hollman of Sydney FC during the round 23 A-League Men match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\\\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1742153895&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2025 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00078634898167807&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;A-League Men Rd 23 - Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-League Men Rd 23 &#8211; Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA &#8211; MARCH 16: Francisco Geraldes of the Phoenix competes with Corey Hollman of Sydney FC during the round 23 A-League Men match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339494.jpg?w=300\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339494.jpg?w=1200\" height=\"800\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339494.jpg?w=1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-324814\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339494.jpg 3939w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339494.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339494.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339494.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339494.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205339494.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA &#8211; MARCH 16: Francisco Geraldes of the Phoenix competes with Corey Hollman of Sydney FC during the round 23 A-League Men match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It was the start of a good period for the Phoenix. They started to press higher up the pitch and make it harder for the Sky Blues to play out from the back.<br><br>Sydney continued to have the lion\u2019s share of possession but had little to show for it. Oluwayemi only made one save in the first half and that was a regulation one in the 35<sup>th<\/sup> minute to deny Patryk Klimala, who squeezed a shot through Sam Sutton\u2019s legs.<br><br>The Nix had a good spell of possession from that moment on and drew level soon after when Barbarouses rounded Devenish-Meares and slotted home after getting on the end of a slide-rule pass from Chico Geraldes.<br><br>Barbarouses\u2019 101<sup>st<\/sup> A-League goal was initially ruled out for offside but, after intervention from the Video Assistant Referee, the decision was overturned.<br><br>It remained level at halftime with no further goalscoring opportunities for either side before the break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"324813\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/isuzu-ute-a-league-round-23-match-review-3\/a-league-men-rd-23-sydney-fc-v-wellington-phoenix-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205338623.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"4973,3315\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Kosta Barbarouses of the Phoenix celebrates scoring a goal during the round 23 A-League Men match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\\\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1742153902&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2025 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00078634898167807&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;A-League Men Rd 23 - Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-League Men Rd 23 &#8211; Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA &#8211; MARCH 16: Kosta Barbarouses of the Phoenix celebrates scoring a goal during the round 23 A-League Men match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205338623.jpg?w=300\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205338623.jpg?w=1200\" height=\"800\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205338623.jpg?w=1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-324813\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205338623.jpg 4973w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205338623.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205338623.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205338623.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205338623.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205338623.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA &#8211; MARCH 16: Kosta Barbarouses of the Phoenix celebrates scoring a goal during the round 23 A-League Men match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The second half started very much like the first with the Sky Blues dominating possession, but they were unable to breakdown the well-organised Phoenix defence.<br><br>Barbarouses and Geraldes were an ever-present threat on the break for Wellington, who tested Sydney from a couple of set pieces shortly after halftime.<br><br>Brazilian Douglas Costa, on as a halftime substitute, registered the first shot on target of the second half in the 66<sup>th<\/sup> minute but it was a cheeky effort from near the touchline and was comfortably held by Oluwayemi.<br><br>Geraldes fired a shot narrowly over the bar moments later but Barbarouses was ruled to be offside in the lead-up.<br><br>The Phoenix continued to defend resolutely and Oluwayemi stepped up when called upon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"324815\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/isuzu-ute-a-league-round-23-match-review-3\/a-league-men-rd-23-sydney-fc-v-wellington-phoenix-6\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205343376.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"4893,3262\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Tim Payne of the Phoenix competes with Leo Sena of Sydney FC of Sydney during the round 23 A-League Men match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\\\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1742156506&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2025 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00078634898167807&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;A-League Men Rd 23 - Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-League Men Rd 23 &#8211; Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA &#8211; MARCH 16: Tim Payne of the Phoenix competes with Leo Sena of Sydney FC of Sydney during the round 23 A-League Men match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205343376.jpg?w=300\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205343376.jpg?w=1200\" height=\"800\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205343376.jpg?w=1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-324815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205343376.jpg 4893w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205343376.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205343376.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205343376.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205343376.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205343376.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA &#8211; MARCH 16: Tim Payne of the Phoenix competes with Leo Sena of Sydney FC of Sydney during the round 23 A-League Men match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>He made a good save to keep out a powerful shot from substitute Jaiden Kucharski in the 76<sup>th<\/sup> and made an even better stop 10 minutes later to deny Kucharski a second time.<br><br>Oluwayemi wasn\u2019t able to hold onto a long-range shot from Costa in the second minute of time added on, but the Nix were able to scramble clear.<br><br>And Wellington had the final goalscoring opportunity of the match in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time when the Phoenix caught Sydney on the break but the Sky Blues managed to get a last-ditch block to deny Alex Rufer a dramatic match-winner.<br><br>The Wellington Phoenix will return home tomorrow and have an extra week to prepare for their next match against Western Sydney Wanderers at Sky Stadium on Saturday, March 29 as the A-League breaks for international football next weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"match-card-embed-root\" class=\"match-card-embed block-match-card-embed block_1a718f52bb2dd559c8d4892bd764f72d\" data-competition=\"xwnjb1az11zffwty3m6vn8y6\" data-club=\"6j4xzc2g1eeafo6v1f38d4x22\" data-match=\"bpy3mkyoapyem37qfjdba41ec\" data-position=\"12\"><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Wellington Phoenix:<\/strong> 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 4. Scott WOOTTON, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Paulo RETRE (25. Kazuki NAGASAWA 80<sup>th<\/sup>), 12. Francisco GERALDES (9. Hideki ISHIGE 80<sup>th<\/sup>), 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES (3. Corban PIPER 72<sup>nd<\/sup>), 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 19. Sam SUTTON, 27. Matthew SHERIDAN.<br>Unused substitutes: 35. Dublin BOON (gk), 17. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 41. Nathan WALKER.<br><br><strong>Sydney FC:<\/strong> 12. Harrison DEVENISH-MEARES (gk), 4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 5. Alex GRANT, 6. Corey HOLLMAN (24. Wataru KAMIJO 46<sup>th<\/sup>), 7. Adrian SEGECIC (11. Douglas COSTA 46<sup>th<\/sup>), 9. Patryk KLIMALA (25. Jaiden KUCHARSKI 69<sup>th<\/sup>), 10. Joe LOLLEY (20. Tiago QUINTAL 69<sup>th<\/sup>), 15. Leo SENO, 16. Joel KING, 17. Anthony CACERES, 23. Rhyan GRANT (c).<br>Unused substitutes: 30. Gus HOESFLOOT (gk), 31. Jaushua SOTIRIO, 37. Will KENNEDY.<br><br><strong>Goals:<br><\/strong>7. Adrian SEGECIC (Sydney FC) \u2013 7<sup>th<br><\/sup>7. Kosta BARBAROUSES (Wellington Phoenix) \u2013 38<sup>th<\/sup><br><strong><br>Cards:<\/strong><br>7. Kosta BARBAROUSES (Wellington Phoenix) \u2013 yellow \u2013 82<sup>nd<br><\/sup>14. Alex RUFER (Wellington Phoenix) \u2013 yellow \u2013 82<sup>nd<br><\/sup>23. Rhyan GRANT (Sydney FC) \u2013 yellow \u2013 82<sup>nd<br><\/sup>3. Corban PIPER (Wellington Phoenix) \u2013 yellow \u2013 90+5<br><br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":254,"featured_media":324811,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[329,330,327,356,343],"tags":[],"competition":[],"acf":{"match_card_embed_league":5080,"match_card_embed_club":null,"match_card_embed_match":"321866","match_card_embed_disable":false,"auto_publish_updates":true,"reference_article":null,"article_featured_video":"","article_featured_video_tagline":"","article_byline":"","article_media_type":"news","article_video":"","gallery":"","shared_ffa_source":"keepup","shared_hide_in_app":false,"article_player":"","article_team":"","article_competition":"","article_match":"","credit":"","related_articles":"","push_to_social":false,"priority":1,"sport":false,"language":"en","private_content":false,"access_level":"","article_id":"","app_featured_image":null,"article_content_group":"news"},"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/isuzu-ute-a-league-round-23-match-review-3\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Isuzu UTE A-League Round 23 Match Review","url":"http:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/isuzu-ute-a-league-round-23-match-review-3\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/isuzu-ute-a-league-round-23-match-review-3\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205345504.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205345504.jpg"},"articleSection":"Breaking News","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"brenton"}],"creator":["brenton"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Wellington Phoenix","logo":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2022\/04\/cropped-Wellington_Phoenix_FC_logo-2.png"},"keywords":[],"dateCreated":"2025-03-16T10:30:00Z","datePublished":"2025-03-16T10:30:00Z","dateModified":"2025-03-16T10:59:34Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Isuzu UTE A-League Round 23 Match Review\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/wellingtonphoenix.com\\\/news\\\/isuzu-ute-a-league-round-23-match-review-3\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/wellingtonphoenix.com\\\/news\\\/isuzu-ute-a-league-round-23-match-review-3\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wellingtonphoenix.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/11\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/GettyImages-2205345504.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wellingtonphoenix.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/11\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/GettyImages-2205345504.jpg\"},\"articleSection\":\"Breaking News\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"brenton\"}],\"creator\":[\"brenton\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Wellington Phoenix\",\"logo\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wellingtonphoenix.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/11\\\/2022\\\/04\\\/cropped-Wellington_Phoenix_FC_logo-2.png\"},\"keywords\":[],\"dateCreated\":\"2025-03-16T10:30:00Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-03-16T10:30:00Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-16T10:59:34Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205345504.jpg?w=1080&h=1080&quality=75","image":{"sizes":{"full":{"url":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2205345504.jpg","width":1024,"height":683,"caption":"SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Joel King of Sydney reacts at full-time during the round 23 A-League Men match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. 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