Wellington feel they've proven the doubters wrong after last season's wooden spooners held reigning A-League premiers Western Sydney to a 1-1 draw at Pirtek Stadium.
It was a fast and furious Wanderers who started the game, heavily dominating possession and creating chances, with German Jerome Polenz putting them in front after 15 minutes.
But the Phoenix, who opened with 2-1 loss to Brisbane last week, produced a blistering second half with a flurry of shots resulting in Jeremy Brockie's 60th minute equaliser.
Wellington coach Ernie Merrick appeared no less than a tactical genius with key substitutions changing the complexion of the game.
His call to bring on Jason Hicks for Stein Huysegems midway through the opening half added spark and steadied the midfield for Wellington while Paul Ifill, who came on in the second stanza, was a constant menace for the Wanderers defence.
"The Wanderers came out of the box firing, they were all over us," Merrick said.
"But the change I made, taking off Stein Huysegems, who did nothing wrong, I just needed another midfielder, we were getting beaten in the midfield.
"But Jason Hicks made a big difference and then I got Paul Ifill on, who was recovering from a hamstring injury, and he got better and better."
Skipper Andrew Durante, who along with keeper Glenn Moss, Leo Bertos and Brockie, made his return from international duty, was pleased to have silenced the critics.
"I don't think any would have backed us to get anything from this game," he said.
"All the pundits picked Western Sydney right across the board and the TAB had us out at seven bucks. No one gave us a chance.
"We've got a lot to prove this year so that was a good performance."
The Wanderers showed some great combination play in the front third with right winger Youssouf Hersi causing havoc down the right and marquee man Shinji Ono and young gun Tomi Juric both looking threatening.
But in a blow, the Wanderers were without key midfielder Aaron Mooy after the first 10 minutes after he copped a head knock in a collision with Manny Muscat, with the loss appearing to have deflated the hosts.
Medical staff will assess Mooy, but coach Tony Popovic wasn't not concerned it was anything serious.
While disappointed to still be searching for their first win this season after a 1-1 draw with the Central Coast last week, Popovic was happy with the promising signs.
"The first 25 minutes or so were very pleasing, we played some great football," he said.
"I'm a little disappointed we didn't kill off the game when we were on top.
"But it's not all doom and gloom. We've just got to pick ourselves up and prepare well for a great Sydney derby next week."
