WATCH: Phoenix secure Round of 32 spot with hard-fought victory

Euan James 1747222247,1747226572

Wellington Phoenix overcame Brisbane Roar 1-0 in the Hahn Australia Cup 2025 Final Rounds Playoff, securing their place in the Round of 32 later this year. 

The victory marked an emotional farewell for Sam Sutton and Scott Wootton, who played their final games for the club.

Despite their strong finish to the A-League Men’s season, Brisbane couldn’t carry their momentum into Michael Valkanis’ first game as head coach. The Roar, undefeated in their final four league games, had also defeated Wellington 1-0 in their penultimate league match. However, the Phoenix, who had lost all their last four league fixtures, found redemption in Darwin.

Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix walk out for their Hahn Australia Cup Play-off. (Photo: Football Australia)

Brisbane started on the front foot, with Asumah Abubakar-Ankrah forcing an early save from Phoenix goalkeeper Joshua Oluwayemi. The Roar had a golden chance in the ninth minute when Henry Hore won a penalty after being fouled by Oluwayemi. Jay O’Shea stepped up, but his spot-kick rattled the crossbar, letting Wellington off the hook.

Abubakar-Ankrah continued to threaten, heading a Hore cross straight at Oluwayemi in the 18th minute. However, a turning point came when Nathan Walker was fouled by Hosine Bility and forced off injured. From the ensuing free kick, Alex Rufer’s sharp movement in the box led to a crucial save by Brisbane’s Matt Acton, signalling Wellington’s growing confidence.

That confidence paid off in the 39th minute. Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues’ lofted pass found Kosta Barbarouses, who headed past Acton to give Wellington the lead. Brisbane appealed for a foul in the build-up, but the referee allowed the goal to stand.

 

Brisbane had a chance to equalise just before halftime when a fizzed cross found Abubakar-Ankrah at the back post, but he couldn’t make clean contact, sending the ball over the bar. Despite dominating possession and creating opportunities, the Roar couldn’t find the incisive final pass to unlock Wellington’s defence.

The second half saw Brisbane pushing for an equaliser. Sam Klein burst forward early but blasted over the bar, while Jack Hingert’s foul on Barbarouses resulted in yellow cards for both players — Hingert for the challenge and Barbarouses for his reaction.

Substitutes Benjamin Halloran and Jacob Brazete added energy, with Halloran setting up Hore for a first-time effort that narrowly missed. Oluwayemi was in inspired form, making a string of crucial saves, including a one-on-one stop to deny Halloran after a defensive lapse.

Matt Acton kept Brisbane in the contest, saving from Luke Brooke-Smith late on, but Brisbane’s attacking frustrations continued. Alex Rufer’s second yellow card in the 88th minute reduced Wellington to ten men, and in the dying moments, Abubakar-Ankrah came agonisingly close to equalising with a header that grazed the crossbar, but the Roar's efforts ultimately fell short.

Asumah Abubakar-Ankrah fights to fire Brisbane back into the game.  (Photo: Football Australia)


The Phoenix stood firm, securing a hard-fought win to cap off the careers of Sutton and Wootton with a memorable result. For Brisbane, the defeat marked a disappointing start to the Valkanis era.

Wellington Phoenix now look ahead to competing in the Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32 later this year, while Brisbane are left to reflect on what might have been.

Match Summary

Wellington Phoenix: 1 (7. Kosta Barbarouses 39’)
Brisbane Roar: 0

Date: Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Venue: Darwin Football Stadium at Larrakia Park

Referee: Sam Kelly
Assistant Referees: William Samsa, Cameron Wright
Fourth Official: Lachlan Keevers
Match Commissioner: Siddharth Khurana

Wellington Phoenix: 1. Joshua Oluwayemi (GK), 4. Scott Wootton, 7. Kosta Barbarouses, 8. Paulo Retre (5. Fin Roa Conchie 86’), 9. Hideki Ishige, 14. Alex Rufer (C), 17. Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues (25. Kazuki Nagasawa 90’), 18. Lukas Kelly-Heald, 19. Sam Sutton, 27. Matt Sheridan, 41. Nathan Walker (29. Luke Brooke-Smith 35’)

Substitutes Not Used: 23. Luke Supyk, 35. Dublin Boon (GK), 39. Jayden Smith, 44. Daniel Makowem

Yellow Cards: 7. Kosta Barbarouses (52’), 14. Alex Rufer (63’, 88’)
Red Cards: 14. Alex Rufer (88’)

Brisbane Roar: 29. Matthew Acton (GK), 10. Florin Bérenguer-Bohrer (18. Jacob Brazete 57’), 11. Asumah Abubakar-Ankrah, 12. Lucas Herrington, 13. Henry Hore (8. Walid Shour 75’), 15. Hosine Bility, 19. Jack Hingert (43. Adam Zimarino 86’), 21. Antonee Burke-Gilroy, 23. Keegan Jelacic (27. Benjamin Halloran 57’), 24. Samuel Klein, 26. James O'Shea (C)

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Macklin Freke (GK), 6. Austin Ludwik, 35. Louis Zabala

Yellow Cards: 15. Hosine Bility (33’), 19. Jack Hingert (51’), 26. James O'Shea (59’), 24. Samuel Klein (69’) 
Red Cards: Nil