Football: Wellington outclassed by champion Sydney side

Adrian Mierzejewski was left completely unmarked at the far post when he scored Sydney's second goal last night. Photo / photosport.nz

Wellington Phoenix1
Sydney FC4

Two main thoughts occurred at the conclusion of Wellington's 4-1 dismantling by Sydney FC at Westpac Stadium last night.

The first was that the Phoenix defence were a rabble. Any reversal of form must start with fixing the glaring mistakes that are occurring with alarming regularity at the back. The Phoenix have now conceded 25 goals in 11 games.

Sydney's four goals were a roll call of basic defensive errors, with the Wellington defence failing to track runners or get goal side of attackers on the occasions they were close enough to mark them.

The fact Sydney are clearly the A-League's best team — this win put them five points clear at the top of the table — could be claimed as a mitigating factor. But even allowing for that, Wellington's defending was still substandard.

The second was thank goodness for Andrija Kaludjerovic. Where would the Phoenix be without him? His importance to the team has increased even further, as Dario Vidosic, the second-top scorer with four, exited the club this week.

Kaludjerovic scored his eighth goal of the season just before the break with yet another superb header.

His aerial prowess is phenomenal and his goals have provided his struggling side with a lifeline several times this season.

That was certainly the case last night. Sydney were in total control of the match at 2-0 up when the Serbian striker's 40th-minute goal gave the hosts undeserved hope of a positive result heading into the second half.

That hope ultimately proved unfounded as the champions scored twice more without reply to finish comfortable 4-1 winners.

But the embers of hope were at least kept flickering during the third quarter as the Phoenix fashioned some decent chances.

Adam Parkhouse squandered the best, firing the ball at Sydney keeper Andrew Redmayne from close range, while 18-year-old Sarpreet Singh curled a shot against the post.

Kaludjerovic started the match as the A-League's joint top scorer but he was overtaken by Sydney striker Bobo, who hit a hat-trick last night to take his season tally to 10.

Wellington Phoenix 1 (A. Kaludjerovic 40) Sydney FC 4 (Bobo 17, 58, 86, A. Mierzejewski 25). Halftime: 2-1.

• Mark Milligan converted a 96th-minute penalty to clinch a 1-0 win for the Victory in last night's Melbourne derby against City.