A return to home comforts for the Wellington Phoenix.
Head coach Paul Temple is looking forward to taking on Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park after two games on the road.
“Obviously it’s been a good season for us at Porirua Park at home, so we want to keep that momentum going, and hopefully the fans turn up in force,” he said.
“The energy that it brings to the team and the game is really important. It’s a big factor in why we’ve been so good at home.
“It’s been a big advantage for us since we started playing there last season. Our record’s been good over the two seasons.
“The girls love playing there, we have good energy around the place. We don’t have to travel, so gameday looks a little bit different.
“All of that provides a little bit of extra energy. We’re looking forward to it, and hopefully the Fever are there and in good voice.”
The match comes at an important time, as the Nix face Victory before a long trip to Perth.
“We’ve got this international break coming up after Perth, and you want to try and go into that break with a bit of momentum.
“Then you have that last seven games, that section of the season into playoffs. We want to build some momentum into that break.
“We’ve got two tough games before that, so it’s going to be a challenge, but I think we fancy ourselves against anybody at home.
“We went away and won in Perth last year too, so we’ve got every reason to be upbeat about those two games.”
Taking on a high-flying Victory side won’t be easy, but a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture has given Temple added confidence.
“Pound for pound, their squad’s pretty fantastic. They’ve got some really good players.
“On paper they’re one of the favourites, and obviously they’re sitting second and pushing City for that Premier’s Plate.
“They’re one of the top two teams in the competition for a reason, and they deserve respect in how we approach the game.
“But equally, we can’t put too much into that, and have to focus on what we can do to hurt them.
“When we played them at the Home of the Matildas earlier on in the season, we showed some really good tactical ability to stay structured, stay in the game.
“We only conceded that penalty, and limited their amount of chances, and looked really good in that last 20 minutes when we got an equaliser, and could have gone on and won the game. Against these top teams, we can compete.”
He knows where the Nix need to improve in order to chase down their maiden playoff appearance.
“Brisbane was a good example, that’s probably a game we should get something from based on the manner in which the game went, how well we played, and the amount of chances we created.
“We really do need to be finishing these chances, put these goals away, and get points where we deserve them.
“There was a period in the first half we were very much on top and didn’t score in that time. That adds pressure as you go through the game.
“We’ve got to be a bit more clinical, we all know that and we’ve been working hard on that.
“If we can create the amount of chances we’ve been doing in games on a regular basis, and can put those chances away, we’ll start getting a lot more points.”
After making her debut against Brisbane in an unfamiliar right back position, new signing Amelia Abbott is ready to up her involvement.
“She was good when she came on. I said prior that we see her in the backline or in midfield, so I think she can do a job for the team anywhere really.
“I know she hasn’t played at all really at right full back, so I thought she did well considering it’s not her preferred position or usual position.
“She put some energy into the game, got forward and helped us attack, which I thought was good.
“Making her professional debut as well, it was a tough game to come into. She did a good job and she’s continuing to do that in training.”
And Manaia Elliott is also one to watch, having been named in the Football Ferns squad for the upcoming matches against Costa Rica, where she could make her international debut.
“She deserves it. She’s had a good season, been really impactful. I think she’s had really good impact in the games, a lot of that has come from off the bench.
“I think it was probably her best start against Brisbane, in terms of the impact she had on the game. She’s getting more and more confident.
“When she plays she’s dynamic, causes opponents trouble because she’s got really good running power. She’s scored a few goals too.
“When you do those things, you’re going to impact the game and impress the national team coach.
“I think [Ferns head coach] Michael Mayne’s seen her play and obviously followed with a call-up, so fingers crossed she gets her debut.”
The round 15 Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory is scheduled to kick-off at Porirua Park in Wellington at 4pm Saturday and will be broadcast free-to-air on Sky Open in New Zealand and LIVE on Sky Sport 1 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ and 10 Play in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 13 December 2024 – Melbourne Victory 1 Wellington Phoenix 1
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 0W, Victory 3W, 3D
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, 8. Amelia ABBOTT, 9. Olivia FERGUSSON, 10. Alyssa WHINHAM, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 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, 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 23. Rebecca LAKE.
Melbourne Victory squad (two to be omitted): 2. Ellie WILSON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 8. Alana MURPHY, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Alex CHIDIAC, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 15. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kayla MORRISON (c), 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 41. Jessica YOUNG, 50. Courtney NEWBON (gk), 62. Geo CANDY (gk), 66. Alana JANCEVSKI.
