Five-star win for Lia and Wellington Phoenix over Newcastle

Tatura export Vince Lia was part of Wellington Phoenix’s five-star rout of Newcastle Jets on Sunday.

Despite missing five starting players due to international commitments, Wellington was in sublime form, winning 5-0 at home to the Jets.

The impressive win was a consolation for Phoenix, with the top six looking far gone. While still a mathematical possibility, the win over Newcastle has the side six points adrift of Western Sydney Wanderers with three games to go.

Kiwi Kostas Barbarouses started the rout for Phoenix, scoring near the halfhour mark, before Brazilian Gui Finkler headed home from Barbarouses’ cross to double the lead.

Half-time substitute Matthew Ridenton added a third for New Zealanders after being on the pitch for just three minutes.

Ridenton found himself in the right place at the right time when Dylan Fox’s header ricocheted into the path of the substitute.

Soon after it was a calamity from the Jets when experienced defender Jason Hoffman passed the ball into the back of his own net.

Under little pressure, Hoffman attempted to clear his lines but misplaced the clearance, side-footing the ball past a hapless Jack Duncan in goal.

Roly Bonevacia put the icing on the cake for the hosts with the fifth and final goal, at 86 minutes.

Despite having less possession throughout the 90 minutes, the hosts went on to have 21 shots, scoring from five of their six shots on target.

Wellington went into the match just one point ahead of eighth-placed Newcastle on the ladder and without top-scorer Roy Krishna.

The Phoenix will need to win the final three games if they are to play finals and hope for a slip-up from rival Western Sydney.

Unfortunately for Phoenix, they travel this weekend as Lia returns to his home state to play his old club Melbourne Victory on Sunday afternoon.