Wellington Phoenix men suffer big loss
- editor59343
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The Wellington Phoenix men's team have had their unbeaten start to 2026 come to an abrupt half with a 4-1 away loss to the Newcastle Jets.
The home side went ahead 1-0 after just one minute into the game and looked the stronger side throughout.
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Newcastle then added another two goals in the second half before the Phoenix were able to respond when new Norwegian attacking midfielder Sander Kartum scoring after a few minutes into his club and A-League debut.
Wellington remain eighth on the points ladder, two points outside the top six, while the result moves Newcastle level with Auckland FC at the top of the ladder.
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano was disappointed with the final result.
"Always disappointed when we lose, especially when it was pretty even in terms of big chances created," Italiano said.
"It was a 50-50 game in terms of possession, we just got punished for some sloppy defending.
"But in fairness they probably deserved the points."
Italiano doesn't believe his side has taken a step backwards after two wins and a draw to start the year.
"If we didn't make any chances, we got torched 4-1 and we weren't in the game then I would be a little bit worried.
"On a better day honestly it could have been four-all. If we defend a little bit better we could have won the game 4-3.
"I'm still positive with how the team played in certain periods."
The Phoenix play Melbourne City in Wellington next Friday.
