Western Sydney’s wooden-spoon fate was sealed with a 2-1 loss to Wellington Phoenix in Christchurch on Saturday.
For the first time since the club’s inception in 2012, the Wanderers will finish an A-League season in last place, regardless of what happens when they meet Melbourne Victory next weekend in their final match of what has been a horror 2025-26 campaign.
The loss to the Phoenix was Western Sydney’s 14th defeat in a season that has included only five wins from 25 games.
A huge player cleanout looms at the Wanderers ahead of the 2026-27 season under new coach Ufuk Talay, who will take over from current mentor Gary van Egmond.
Wanderers star Brandon Borrello, who captained the team on Saturday following the shock axing of regular skipper Lawrence Thomas, said every Western Sydney player had to “hold the mirror up”.
“Everyone’s played a part in why we’re in this position,” Borrello told Sky Sport NZ.
“A bit of self-reflection is always good, whether it’s a hard chat with yourself or a bit of constructive criticism.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow.”
The Phoenix had a chance in the first minute, but Japanese midfielder Kazuki Nagasawa failed to direct his header on target.
However, his teammate Ifeanyi Eze had no such problem in the 16th minute, heading the hosts into the lead after being picked out by right-back Tim Payne’s well-placed cross.
It was Eze’s 10th goal of what has been an impressive debut A-League season from the Nigerian marksman.
The hosts continued to attack, but fell asleep defensively from a corner to allow the Wanderers to equalise against the run of play in the 41st minute.
Star winger Ryan Fraser took the corner, feeding midfielder Angus Thurgate, who laid the ball into the path of attacker Borrello.
Given far too much space and times by the Phoenix defender, Borrello took a shot that Wellington goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi was able to get both of his hands on, but couldn’t prevent it from finding the back of the net.
The Wanderers had another chance just before half-time to take the lead, but striker Jai Rose failed to make the most of the opportunity.
Any momentum Western Sydney had was halted 11 minutes into second-half when Wellington regained the lead.
Payne was again the provider with a pinpoint cross that was header home by an unmarked Nagasawa.
Fraser had a chance to equalise for the visitors in the 66th minute with a volley, but it was saved by Oluwayemi.
Former Phoenix midfielder Bozhidar Kraev was also foiled by Oluwayemi in stoppage-time to complete another miserable afternoon for Western Sydney.
Captain axed
In a shock selection decision, Wanderers skipper and goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas was dropped to the bench, with his spot going to Jordan Holmes.
It was only Holmes’ second A-League appearance since joining Western Sydney in August 2024.
Thomas has made 47 successive A-League starts for Wanderers but seemingly paid the price for a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
“For my standard, it hasn’t been my best season,” Thomas told NewsWire earlier this month.
“I pride myself on being one of the top one or two keepers in the league each year – I’ve been below that this season.”
Thomas’ axing was one four changes to the Wanderers side that started in last Saturday’s 2-0 derby loss to Sydney FC.
Also omitted were defenders Phillip Cancar and Jarrod Carluccio, and midfielder Josh Brillante.
Apart from Holmes, also coming into a reshuffled 11 were Scotsman Ryan Fraser, left-back Alex Gersbach and teenage central defender Nathan Barrie.
