The Wellington Phoenix have been punished for a going off the boil in the first half of their A-League season opener.
The Phoenix were beaten 4-2 by Western United at Ironbark Fields, west of Melbourne, despite dominating most of the statistical categories over the 90 minutes.
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There were five first have goals with the Nix scoring first through an own goal from Sasha Grove in her debut within the first 15 minutes.
It was then Western United nailed four between the 17th to the 40th minutes of the half with Chloe Logarzo scoring twice, Aimee Mewin, Kahli Johnson also added goals. Wellington
Phoenix coach Paul Temple summed up the first half. "It's tough to comprehend really what went on in that 20 minute period in the first half."
The Phoenix did score again through an Emma Main penalty in the 84th minute to pull one goal back.
The Nix side had three debutants in Carolina Vilao, Maya McCutcheon and Mebae Tanaka.
The Phoenix return to Wellington to host Canberra United at Porirua Park next Sunday.