A major test for the resurgent Wellington Phoenix to kick-off round six of the 2024-25 Ninja A-League.
The Phoenix are visiting high-flying Melbourne Victory at the Home of the Matildas, just five days after the Nix knocked over Brisbane Roar 2-1 at Porirua Park.
Back-to-back wins have seen Wellington move on to the verge of the top six, while the Victory sit second just a point behind early pacesetters Melbourne City and have welcomed back their Matildas Emily Gielnik and Alex Chidiac.
Phoenix head coach Paul Temple is full of respect for the Victory and his opposite Jeff Hopkins, but believes they can be beaten.
“They’re a big team in this league,” Temple told media after training on Thursday. “They’re perennial title contenders, in the finals and winning championships.
“On paper you could probably argue they’ve got the strongest squad and they’re right at the top of the table with City.
“We know what’s in front of us, but we really do believe that we have a team that can beat anyone on our day.
“It’s about getting things right. We’re going to have to be at our best to beat a team of Victory’s quality, but there’s no reason why we can’t go over there and put our best foot forward.
“We’ve got a plan for the game and it’s about us implementing that and the players need to stand up, put good performances in and if we can have our levels where we know we’re capable of then there’s no reason why we can’t go on and win.”
The squad is full of belief following the wins over Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar.
“I think we’re feeling more confident after going away and winning last time out against Adelaide. That’s helped in terms of building the confidence.
“We played at the Home of the Matildas last year. It was a pretty crazy game; I think it was 5-3 in the end.
“We know we can go there and we can score goals, but we’ve got to be strong defensively because they’ve got a lot of firepower.
“We’ll show respect for that and set-up accordingly, but when the whistle blows there will be no respect and it’ll be all on.”
Temple has brushed off the short turnaround which will affect Melbourne Victory too as they played in Perth on Sunday.
“It seems a bit odd that we’re playing on Friday, but we’ve practiced once in pre-season the five day turnaround and we had the same in the Unite Round.
“The bodies are feeling good, we’ve managed this week really well and I think that experience of doing it twice already has really helped the staff and the players prepare.
“We feel good, we’re ready to roll and there won’t be an excuse on Friday night.”
Paul Temple has a near full-strength squad to pick from. Aside from the season-ending injuries to Rebecca Lake and Ella McCann, back-up goalkeeper Aimee Danieli (concussion) is the only player ruled out of consideration to play Victory.
American defender Alivia Kelly is in contention to make her first start for the Phoenix after playing the second half of the 2-1 win over Brisbane on Sunday.
“Alivia came on and did well in the game. Professional debut and chucked straight in but she dealt with it very well.
“She’s continuing to settle in with the group and improving each day at training. You can start to see some of her qualities coming out as she’s feeling more and more comfortable with the situation and environment.
“We know Gielnik is the main centre forward for the Victory and she has a lot of size, pace and power, and is good in the air.
“Obviously Alivia has a good frame, is athletic and is good in the air so I think there’s the potential for us to match them up and it’ll be a good test for her.”
The sixth round Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory is scheduled to kick-off at the Home of the Matildas in Melbourne at 9pm (7pm AEDT) Friday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 1 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ and 10 Play in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 3 March 2024 – Melbourne Victory 5 Wellington Phoenix 3
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 0W, Victory 3W, 2D
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 2. Zoe MCMEEKEN, 3. Tiana JABER, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Alivia KELLY, 6. Maya MCCUTCHEON, 7. Grace JALE, 9. Olivia FERGUSSON, 10. Alyssa WHINHAM, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 12. Ella MCMILLAN, 13. Brooke NEARY (gk),14. Mebae TANAKA, 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE, 16. Annalie LONGO (c), 19. Liv INGHAM, 20. Emma MAIN, 21. Lara WALL, 39. Carolina VILÃO (gk).
Unavailable:18. Ella MCCANN (injured), 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk) (injured), 23. Rebecca LAKE (injured).
Melbourne Victory squad (two to be omitted): 2. Ellie WILSON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 6. Beattie GOAD, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 8. Alana MURPHY, 10. Alex CHIDIAC, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 15. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 22. Ava BRIEDIS, 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 50. Courtney NEWBON, 62. Geo CANDY, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI.
Unavailable: Nil.
Main image: Cam McIntosh/Photomac.
