Wellington still had a chance to finish in the all-important top two and get the first week of the finals off by beating Sydney FC at home last weekend, but lost 2-1. It ended up finishing fourth and now plays an elimination game against fifth-placed Melbourne City at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.
The last time Phoenix played a finals game was 7 April, 2012, when it was eliminated in a 3-2 away loss to Perth Glory. It finished last in the 2012-2013 season and ninth last season, which was Ernie Merrick's first in charge as coach.
There were signs of rejuvenation in Merrick's first year, even though Wellington faded at the end, and with further astute recruitment came a big improvement this season. But now Phoenix has to make it count.
"We've been up the pointy end for quite a while this season," Wellington midfielder Vince Lia told The World Game.
"We were on top for a few weeks there, before having a couple of setbacks at home against Melbourne Victory and Sydney, so to go out in the first week of the finals after being in the top two or top four for most of the season would be very disappointing.
"Melbourne City will be a big test for us. We need to get back on track and we need to do whatever it takes to win."
The last five rounds for Wellington saw those losses to Victory and Sydney, both 3-0, a 0-0 draw against Melbourne City, a 3-2 win over Central Coast Mariners at home and the second loss to Sydney.
Phoenix made hard work of that win against Central Coast, trailing 2-0 at half-time before coming back strongly in the second half and getting the winning goal deep into added time.
Lia readily admits the team's recent form hasn't been great, but says now that it's knockout time Phoenix will be trying to get the win any way it can.
"It's no secret our form over the last month has not been great," he said. "It would be great to go into the finals on the back of a few wins, but that's not the case. We are where we are and now it's about results.
"We like to play well and look good, but right now we need to do whatever we can do to win games. There are no second chances from here. There are things we need to tighten up before Sunday, but we're confident we've got the team to win.
"It's been three years since we've been in the finals, so we can be happy about being back. There are some teams whose season is over. It's a good feeling to be in the finals again, but we have to draw a line in the sand after the last few rounds and find that something extra to win.
"We played well in the second half against Sydney, so that should hold us in good stead going into Sunday."
Merrick made a point to the players at half-time of the game against the Mariners that more players had to find their way into the penalty box and take responsibility for finishing off moves. Lia said it was time to push hard again in Sunday's game.
"Ernie's done pretty much all he can do, it's up to us now," Lia said. "We have to press high and get people into the box.
"We weren't doing that against the Mariners a couple of weeks ago and Ernie told everyone at half-time that we need to get back to what we were doing well early in the year. We came out in the second half and played a lot better.
"We've got the players who can shoulder the responsibility and I think a few of the boys are due for a big game. We've got the players who can score goals and win games.
"We're not going to die wondering on Sunday, that's for sure. If Melbourne are good enough to beat us, then they beat us, but I think if we turn up and play the way we know we can, we'll win."
