Defence the key as Phoenix eye A-League finals

Scott Wootton and Finn Surman are fast emerging as the Wellington Phoenix’s most important defensive rocks since the days of the fabled Andrew Durante-Ben Sigmund duo.

Attacking players generally garner the headlines and the gongs - 10 of the 16 Phoenix player of the year awards have gone to strikers or midfielders.

While the goals grabbed by Kosta Barbarouses (11), Bozhidar Kraev (6) and Oskar Zawada (5) have been vital to the Phoenix’s drive to the A-League Men finals series, the work of the defensive unit should not be forgotten by fans, because it won’t be by Giancarlo Italiano and his coaching team.

The Phoenix are on track for their best defensive season. Their lowest goals-against tally came in 2009-10 when 29 were conceded in 27 games in a campaign that saw Ricki Herbert’s Phoenix finish third in the regular season.

With two round-robin matches remaining, the Phoenix have let in 25 goals in 25 games.

They have kept 11 clean sheets - two more than the nine set in 2009-10 - the year the Nix had their niggardly 29-against total - and more than double the five clean sheets recorded last season.

Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano regularly refers to his side’s defensive discipline in post-match interviews.

It is evident that the Phoenix have closed down opposition attackers quicker this season and reduced the number of shots on target and are defending better, as a unit. Continuity has been an important factor. Wootton - the senior pro in the back-four and Surman - in his second A-League season - have been ever-present in central defence - due in no small measure to their fitness and discipline.

Italiano - who, even in his years as an assistant-coach and analyst, placed great store on a solid defensive shape - has assembled another obdurate unit.

All White Tim Payne has started 20 games and come off the bench once and has revelled at right back again.

Italiano has effectively platooned Lukas Kelly-Heald, another rookie, and Sam Sutton at left back with both offering impetus going forward. When Kelly-Heald - 19 and 1.98m plays alongside Surman (1.93m) and Wotton (1.88m) it gives the Phoenix a particularly imposing backline.

The experience of Wotton and Payne has played an important part in their younger colleagues’ growing confidence.

Payne has had over 100 games and knows the A-League inside-out while Wootton brings years of Football League experience.

When the Phoenix lost former captain Steven Taylor abruptly in 2021, he left a massive hole to fill.

But Wootton has proved a more than worthy replacement., Both Taylor (35) and Andrew Durante (37) were still anchoring the Nix defence in their mid-30s, so Wootoon (32) could potentially be around for a few more years to guide the younger breed.

Defence isn’t, of course, confined to the back-four.

Midfielder and captain Alex Rufer is another player-of-the-year contender for his sterling work in the No 6 slot.

Rufer leads by perpetual example and thoroughly deserved his recent All Whites’ recall. His value was underlined when he was out serving a one-match ban for the top-of-the-table clash with the Central Coast Mariners.

As impressive as Mikael Doka’s winning goal was, it’s hard to imagine Rufer would have let him run so far into the heart of the Phoenix half before shooting.

Watching the Phoenix this year is a stark reminder of the old sporting adage that offence might win a game here or there, but defence wins championships.