The Wellington Phoenix have lost their final regular season A-League football match, beaten 2-1 by Sydney FC in Wellington.
Wellington Phoenix midfielder Michael McGlinchey (right) battles for possession with Sydney FC defender Rhyan Grant. Photo: Photosport
The result means the Phoenix finish fourth and will now have to play in next weekend's elimination finals, against Melbourne City, in Wellington.
A penalty miss again proved costly for the home side who had the opportunity to goal 1-nil up early in the first half.
But Roli Bonavacia's poor effort went wide, after Michael McGlinchey had been brought down in the penalty box.
Sydney made the most of the reprieve and scored soon afterwards to go one nil up.
A clumsy tackle ten minutes later by Phoenix midfield Albert Riera gave away a penalty, which Sydney and All Whites striker Shane Smeltz duly converted.
Smeltz's shot went low and to the left of Phoenix keeper Lewis Luciano, who while he managed to get a hand to it, was unable to save it.
Sydney finish second overall behind Melbourne Victory in the regular season with both those teams now getting a week off before the semi finals.
