Wellington Phoenix head coach Paul Temple is looking forward to the women’s Unite Round fixture, their second consecutive match on the road.
The Phoenix come up against Adelaide United at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Sydney on Friday night.
While the Nix have found it tough early and are still searching for their first points of the new campaign, Adelaide sit third after two wins from the first three rounds.
“It’s like anything, we just need that first win,” Temple told media on Thursday from the team’s base in Sydney via Zoom.
“We get that one to drop and the whole world feels a bit different. We’re trying not to let it get too much on top of us.
“I think these early weeks of the season, all the teams are still really trying to find their feet.
“The teams that have been able to keep the most consistency with their squad are benefiting from that a lot.
“Other teams are still trying to piece together their new players. We’re going through that process ourselves, trying to find our best balance.
“For us we want to get back to what we’re all about, and this gives us that opportunity. We’re looking forward to the game.”
Adelaide have impressed onlookers so far, and Temple is no exception.
“They’ve started the season very well, had two good wins and been scoring well in all the games.
“They’re a team that’s trying to play out from the back, play passing football through the thirds. I think their attacking trio can cause problems.
“The heat on Sunday (against the Newcastle Jets) really hampered the game, and stopped two good teams going at each other.
“I think Friday night might be a little bit more like what I was expecting then with that tactical battle. It should be entertaining and exciting.”
Despite the difficult start for Wellington, morale is still high in the team, who have been stationed in Sydney for the last week in preparation for this fixture.
“It’s been good timing to have this trip together, because when you’re in camp it just brings that bond.
“The first two games we were disappointed because we felt we deserved something from the match, which I said after each game as well.
“We missed that killer instinct in the box, that’s something that we’ve highlighted, reviewed, and been working on this week over in Sydney.
“But the spirit within the team is actually still really good, they’re getting on great, it’s a good atmosphere.
“We’ve been doing workshops every night, team meetings during the day and training in the morning.
“It’s been busy for everyone but we’re getting through a lot of content and working through what we need to improve on.”
Although the Nix have lost Rebecca Lake to season-ending surgery and Imane Chebel has returned home, there is also good news on the personnel front.
Captain Annalie Longo is in the squad for Friday after scans cleared her of a fracture or concussion after a heavy collision against the Jets, although she may have to wear a protective mask.
“She is a chance of featuring. She was out there training with the team yesterday, so that’s really good.
“She’s cleared of concussion, cleared of fractures, so there’s no danger to her playing.
“Really it’s just a conversation after training today between me and her to see how she feels about it and her safety component, making sure she’s comfortable.
“It [a mask] is something that we’re definitely exploring. It can potentially help, but we don’t want it to be more uncomfortable for her.
“Considering where we were at when she came off the pitch, and the initial reactions to the injury, to get to this point a few days later is pretty incredible. It’s a very positive thing.”
The fourth round Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United is scheduled to kick-off at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Sydney at 7.30pm (5.30pm AEDT) Friday and will broadcast be LIVE on Sky Sport 4 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ and 10 Play in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 20 March 2024 – Wellington Phoenix 4 Adelaide United 0
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 2W, Adelaide 4W
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 2. Zoe MCMEEKEN, 3. Tiana JABER, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 6. Maya MCCUTCHEON, 7. Grace JALE, 9. Olivia FERGUSSON, 10. Alyssa WHINHAM, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 12. Ella MCMILLAN, 14. Mebae TANAKA, 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE, 16. Annalie LONGO (c), 17. Ela JEREZ, 19. Liv INGHAM, 20. Emma MAIN, 21. Lara WALL, 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 39. Carolina VILÃO (gk).
Unavailable: 18. Ella MCCANN (injured), 23. Rebecca LAKE (injured).
