Phoenix skipper steps up in welcome return to form

The under-pressure midfielder was instrumental in both goals as the Phoenix snapped their four-game losing run in the A-League with a much-needed win. By Phillip Rollo.

Before Friday’s game against Western United, Wellington Phoenix captain Alex Rufer said he wanted to be the best version of himself in 2022.

By his own admission the central midfielder had experienced an ‘‘up and down’’ start to life as captain after being substituted twice.

Rufer was even dragged at halftime during their previous 4-0 loss to Adelaide United in what coach Ufuk Talay described as a ‘‘tactical’’ change, and his starting spot seemed in jeopardy.

But the skipper responded to the mounting pressure by producing his best performance of the season to help the Phoenix beat Western United, 2-1.

Rufer played an instrumental role both of the goals as the Nix scored twice in the first half to snap their four-game losing streak in the A-League Men.

It was a welcome return to form for the New Zealand international, who missed out on All Whites selection for the upcoming friendlies against Jordan and Uzbekistan.

He claimed an assist on the second goal scored by striker Gary Hooper after spinning past Neil Kilkenny, driving into space and delivering a pass that went through the legs of Leo Lacroix for Hooper to run onto.

Rufer also had a hand in the Phoenix’s first goal as it was his ball into the box from deep that Western failed to clear, allowing Hooper to pounce and set up new signing Gael Sandoval with a goal on debut.

Talay said he had asked a lot of Rufer this season by giving him the captaincy when Steven Taylor retired, but he was delighted to see him rise to the challenge against Western.

‘‘I know what Alex can produce and like

I said leading into the week, I have a lot of expectation on Alex,’’ Talay said.

‘‘I put a lot of expectation on his shoulders making him captain of this team.

‘‘I’m never going to drop my standards and my expectations are always going to be high and the players have to meet those expectations.

‘‘He stepped up today and I think he did a great job and he was influential on that second goal.’’

Talay admitted Nicholas Pennington might have been disappointed not to have played against Western after a good game against Melbourne City in the FFA Cup quarterfinals, when Rufer was asked to do a job at centre-back.

But with Clayton Lewis now away on national team duty, Pennington should come back into the starting lineup and partner Rufer in central midfield in the semifinal against Melbourne Victory next Saturday. ‘‘Clay and Nico did a very good job against Melbourne City, so we’ve got Nico who can step in.’’

‘‘I have a lot of expectation on Alex [Rufer]. I put a lot of expectation on his shoulders making him captain of this team.’’ Nix coach Ufuk Talay