Head coach Paul Temple is prepared for the Wellington Phoenix’s “must-win” home game against Adelaide United on Sunday afternoon.
The team is feeling refreshed after a much needed international break.
“It was actually really important,” Temple told media on Friday.
“We’ve done a lot of travelling, had a mid-week round as well, so we’ve played lots of games.
“I think everyone was pretty tired to be honest, staff and players. It’s that part of the season, two-thirds through.
“This week’s been great. We’ve come back and there’s been a renewed energy and freshness to people which I think you get from having a bit of time off.
“It came at a really good time for us, straight after the Perth trip which is obviously the longest.”
The rest could prove crucial ahead of the season’s third matchup against Adelaide, which he expects to be a dogfight.
“They’re hard to play against, I think they’re one of the toughest teams to prepare for.
“I think they’ll comfortably make the playoffs and be a threat to everyone.
“They’ve got good players, tactically they’re well organised. Both games have been real battles.
“We want to make sure we win the best of three. It’s Porirua Park, and hopefully that home advantage counts.”
As the season enters the final stretch, every game is crucial in the hunt for a playoff spot.
“It’s a must-win game. If we don’t win on the weekend, we give ourselves a bit of a mountain to climb.
“If we can take points from the teams in the six, they’re almost all like six pointers because they’re not getting any advantage and you’re catching them up.
“We’ve got many games like that with Mariners, Melbourne City, and Western all at home.
“We need to be ready, and hopefully we get the points.”
With five of the team’s last seven games at home, Temple has called for the Yellow Fever to turn out in force to get the Nix over the line.
“I’m going to say I had the pleasure of being with the Yellow Fever last week in Auckland.
“I know the result wasn’t one the fans wanted, but I was blown away by the support and the noise. I thought it was amazing.
“I’m one of them now, so I need them to come down to Porirua Park and make that atmosphere because it is the twelfth man.
“It spurs the team on, the energy it gives is just incredible.
“You can hear everything at Porirua Park, even a bit of stick to the opposition. It all helps, it all counts towards the atmosphere.”
Complicating matters is a hamstring injury suffered by Grace Jale on international duty with the Football Ferns which has ruled her out for multiple weeks.
“It’s always really frustrating. You feel a bit helpless because it’s out of your hands to a degree. When you get the phone call, it’s pretty gutting.
“I feel Grace has been playing and has been a key part of what we’re doing, so it’s pretty disappointing.
Mackenzie Barry, Annalie Longo, and Manaia Elliott make up the other players who were with the Ferns in Costa Rica.
That group and Lebanon international Tiana Jaber will be worked back into the squad cautiously, but could still feature on Sunday.
“We’ve got some plans to give them a break over the next couple of weeks because I think everybody needs it.
“Tiana got back on our day off on Wednesday, so she’s trained. She’s come back from Asia, where the time difference is not as extreme, so she’ll be fine and she’ll start.
“The Ferns will arrive back in a few hours into Wellington, so we’ll assess them tonight.
“Obviously we want them to be playing, they’re all key players for us, but we’ve got seven games and hopefully playoffs to think about as well.
“We don’t want to make a decision this week that would impact us too much for the rest of the season.”
However, Temple is confident in his squad depth, and has also been boosted by the return of Alyssa Whinham, who missed the trip to Perth with concussion.
“Alyssa’s been good. I don’t think it would have been dangerous for us to play her in Perth but we took a more cautious approach. Since we’ve been back she’s been fully in.
“Obviously girls that have been in and around the squad, maybe on the bench might be needed to step on and take a starting position.
“That’s Amelia, Zoe, Daisy, they might be needed. We’ve got a good squad so I’ve got no problems playing those girls if we need it.”
And any frustration around players being away on international duty is matched by the pride he feels seeing them represent their nation.
“I guess when you’re on the inside, you know how much it means to them to play for their country.
“You can get caught up in club vs country and get frustrated, but it’s also an honour to play for New Zealand. We want our players to love playing for the Ferns.
“I was so happy for Flea (club captain Annalie Longo). I can’t tell you how many caps she’s got, it’s a lot, but to see her captain her country, it’s an incredible feeling and amazing for her.
“We had Manaia make her international debut, which is a massive moment in her career and her life.
“Those are the things to really focus on, and you can’t get caught up in the negatives. It’s a lifelong ambition for these girls.”
The round 17 Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United is scheduled to kick-off at Porirua Park in Wellington at 4pm Sunday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 3 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ and 10 Play in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 12 January 2025 – Adelaide United 2 Wellington Phoenix 1
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 3W, Adelaide 5W, 0D
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 2. Zoe MCMEEKEN, 3. Tiana JABER, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Alivia KELLY, 6. Maya MCCUTCHEON, 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), 17. Ela JEREZ, 19. Liv INGHAM, 20. Emma MAIN, 21. Lara WALL, 39. Carolina VILÃO (gk).
Unavailable: 7. Grace JALE (injured), 18. Ella MCCANN (injured), 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk) (injured), 23. Rebecca LAKE (injured).
Adelaide United squad (two to be omitted): 1. Annalee GROVE (gk), 2. Emily HODGSON, 3. Meleri MULLAN, 4. Matilda MCNAMARA, 5. Sarah MORGAN, 6. Tiarna KARAMBASIS, 8. Emily CONDON, 10. Chelsie DAWBER, 12. Nanako SASAKI, 13. Ella TONKIN (c), 14. Lucía LEÓN, 16. Dylan HOLMES, 17. Zoe TOLLAND, 18. Lara KIRKBY, 21. Claudia JENKINS (gk), 22. Erin HEALY, 23. Fiona WORTS, 28. Chrissy PANAGARIS.
Unavailable: 27. Sian DEWEY (load management)
