4 May 2015

Phoenix at a loss to explain capitulation

7:54 am on 4 May 2015

The Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante is at a loss as to how their season fell apart so dramatically in the final stages of the A-League competition.

Melbourne City ripped up the form book with a 2-nil win over the Phoenix in the first round of the A-League playoffs.

Second half goals from former Australia international Josh Kennedy and Martinique international Harry Novillo gave the Manchester City-backed club their maiden playoff victory in their fifth A-League season.

Failing to get past the first round of the playoffs is a bitter pill for the Phoenix who were only denied second place in the final standings by defeat in the final round of the regular season.

They'd also not lost to Melbourne City in their three regular season matches.

Phoenix defender Michael Boxall (right) contests possession with Melbourne City's Harry Novillo.

Phoenix defender Michael Boxall (right) contests possession with Melbourne City's Harry Novillo. Photo: Photosport

The Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante was at a loss to explain their season ending poor form, winning just one of their last six matches.

"I believed we had the team that was good enough firstly to win this game and then challenge further on in the next couple of weeks but it wasn't to be.

The season is over for skipper Andrew Durante and his Phoenix side, after a disappointing performance in the playoffs.

The season is over for skipper Andrew Durante and his Phoenix side, after a disappointing performance in the playoffs. Photo: Photosport

"We got caught out giving away some soft goals again and that seems to have been the story of the last five or six weeks," he said.

The goalkeeper Glen Moss said the dressing room was very quiet after the match.

"Kind of hurts the senior boys a lot more. The guys that have been there and guys like myself who really thought we could do it this year....so back to six months of running around Newtown Park in the rain.

Moss said "these are the games you look forward to...and now we've just got to suck it up and get on with it, learn from it if you can and not let it happen next year."

Melbourne City will now play Melbourne Victory on the semi-final while Sydney FC will play Adelaide, who beat Brisbane Roar 2-1 in next weekend's other last four encounter.

The winner will advance to the A League grand final on May 17th.