Wellington Phoenix defeat Brisbane Roar 1-0 in Australia Cup Qualifier in Darwin

Wellington Phoenix have knocked out Brisbane Roar from the Australia Cup in a very testy, and rough clash in Darwin. Re-live the action in our pic gallery and recap here.

Fans in the stands during Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners Australia Cup Qualifier in Darwin, 2025. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

More than 1800 fans filled the stands at Larrakia Park on Wednesday night to watch the second half of the Australia Cup Qualifier’s double-header in Darwin.

New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix and the Brisbane Roar faced off in sweaty and humid conditions for a spot in the Round of 32.

Action from the Australia Cup Qualifiers in Darwin

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A low scoring affair, it was the Roar who had the better control, higher possessions and greater chances, but the defensive resolve and good luck of the Phoenix was enough, winning 1-0.

The clash certainly wasn’t short of controversy with a litany of bizarre calls made against both sides, none more so than the penalty decision against Phoenix’s goalie Joshua Oluwayemi for a dangerous tackle.

Brisbane captain Jay O’Shea hit the woodwork in what can only been seen as karma for the decision.

Wellington forward Kosta Barbarouses found he back of the net in the 39th minute, the only goal of the night.

Wellington Phoenix before their Cup clash with Brisbane Roar, May 14, 2025. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Brisbane had the better of the second half, however poor shot selection and missed chances came back to haunt the east coast outfit come full-time.

The said was desperately chasing victory for their new coach Michael Valkanis’ first match.

Wellington’s head coach Giancarlo Italiano said he thought his side was actually the better of the two, despite all relevant stats and optics.

“It’s a cup-tie so it’s about us scoring first,” Italiano said.

“Once we took the lead our focus was on keeping a clean sheet.

“We had a lot of boys who were underdone play the full 90 when they shouldn’t have.

“And I thought that the saves our keeper made were ones he had to and if he didn’t I would have been quite disappointed.”

Stats

GOALS

Wellington Phoenix: Kosta Barbarouses

CARDS

Wellington Phoenix: Kosta Barbarouses (yellow), Alex Rufer (red)

Brisbane Roar: Jack Hingert (yellow), Hosine Bility (yellow), Samuel Klein (yellow), Jay O’Shea (yellow)

Perth Glory seal Australia Cup victory in extra-time thriller

It was an extra-time thriller at Marrara’s Larrakia Park between Perth Glory and the Central Coast Mariners on Tuesday night as the men from the west pulled off a miraculous come from behind victory.

Off to a terrible start that saw Perth conceded an own goal off a corner and a second before half time, Glory looked down and out with 45 minutes to play.

However, a dogged fight back in trying conditions and a bit of luck turned the tide for Perth.

Jaylan Pearman scored Perth’s first in the 59th, before captain Adam Taggart scored the sides second six minutes later.

Taggart then set up Perth’s third with a great assist inside the six yard to a aptly placed Adam Bugarija in the 98th.

Kaelan Majekodunmi in the net after scoring an own goal. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Mariners’ Mikael Doka had a chance to level the score through a penalty goal, but the clutch efforts of Oliver Sail in goal saved Glory’s night.

Perth Glory coach David Zdrilic said the humidity, new ball and poor first half were not ideal for his men, but expressed his happiness at his sides desire to scrap out a victory.

“Definitely took us longer than I would have liked for us to get into the contest,” he said.

“Took a while to get used to the pitch and the ball that was introduced in this game.

“They scored two goals out of nothing, that’s been the story of our season.

“The fight back was excellent.

“Coming back from two nil down, shows the drive and I’m happy with that result.”

Stats

GOALS

Perth Glory: Adam Taggart, Jaylan Pearman, Adam Bugarija

Central Coast Mariners: Kaelan Majekodunmi (OG), Alou Kuol

CARDS

Perth Glory: Trent Ostler (yellow), Brandon O’Neill (yellow)

Central Coast Mariners: Alfie McCalmont (yellow), Nicholas Duarte (yellow)

Perth Glory looking to use Aus Cup qualifier in NT as total reset

After a disappointing season that saw the side finish bottom of the table in the A-League, Perth Glory are looking to use Tuesday night’s Australia Cup clash as a total reset.

In Darwin for the third consecutive qualifier series, Perth captain and Socceroo Adam Taggart is optimistic about his side’s chances against the Central Coast Mariners.

“It’s good to be familiar with conditions a stadium and the grass, it’s been shown to help … should help us a little bit,” Taggart said

“It’s pretty much our full strength squad; obviously a couple players are missing.

“We’ve had some good results the last few games. Our performances have been up and down.

“Over the past couple of years and season have been a very well organised side, it’ll be a tough game.”

Perth Glory captain Adam Taggart in Darwin. Picture: Darcy Jennings

Perth’s head coach David Zdrilic echoed his captain’s comments, saying the match would be a close contest, but the right platform for a total reset.

“(We have a) totally different team to the one we started (the season) with,” Zdrilic said.

“(We) won two of the last three games.

“We’ve come in here with some good form.

“It’s been a very difficult year, a transitional year for us.

“(The) Mariners have had a tough season as well, they’ve come from winning the championship to having a tough year as well.”

Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners will kick-off at 7pm, Tuesday 13, while the Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix will play at 7pm Wednesday 14, both at Darwin Football Stadium, Marrara.

Originally published as Wellington Phoenix defeat Brisbane Roar 1-0 in Australia Cup Qualifier in Darwin