A “frustrating” first up result for the Wellington Phoenix to start the new Ninja A-League season.
After a first week bye the Phoenix have drawn 1-1 with Canberra United at Sky Stadium in Wellington, with Marisa van der Meer scoring the equaliser late in the first half after the visitors had opened the scoring in the 18th minute.
New head coach Bev Priestman summed up her feelings when she spoke to media post-match.
“Frustrating,” Priestman said. “We definitely played the occasion.
“The fluidity and the flow of the game never got going I felt, particularly in the first half.
“I needed this one out of the way. That’s how I felt genuinely when the whistle was gone.
“I was happy that we never conceded after that and we came away with a point…we have to celebrate that but I’m looking forward to moving on to the next one.”
Priestman was also happy for van der Meer after the defender had missed the best part of two seasons with serious knee injuries.
“She did tell me she’s scored a few times here and she actually scored a set play goal in training yesterday as well so there was something in the air for Marisa.
“She’s obviously had a tough run with two ACLS so to come back and go and score in the opening game is a credit to her.”
New signings Vic Esson, CJ Bott, Ellie Walker, Tessel Middag, Sabitra Bhandari and Brooke Nunn were all named in Bev Priestman’s first starting XI, with Bott handed the captain’s armband. The team’s first off-season signing Lucía León was a late withdrawal after suffering a hamstring injury at training yesterday.
After a quiet opening Bhandari had a gilt-edged opportunity to put the Phoenix in front inside a quarter of an hour.
She won possession high up the pitch but was unable to beat Canberra goalkeeper Sally James one-on-one, with James getting down well to her left to turn Bhandari’s shot around the post.
Canberra took the lead five minutes later when Josie Aulicino’s cross evaded all of the Phoenix shirts in the box and nestled into the far corner of Esson’s net.
The Nix looked the more dangerous side after going behind and van der Meer drew them level six minutes before halftime when she hooked home a shot from close-range after the visitors were unable to deal with Lara Wall’s near post corner.
Esson made a good save to prevent the visitors from taking the lead in first half stoppage time, tipping a header from a Canberra onto her crossbar.
Priestman made an enforced change at halftime, bringing on forward Emma Main in place of Dutch midfielder Tessel Middag, which resulted in a few positional switches and disrupting the team’s rhythm.
The visitors had the first opportunity of the second half with Canberra midfielder Bethany Gordon shooting from the edge of the box but straight at Esson in Wellington’s goal.
Ten minutes later Esson did well to deal with a driven right-wing cross to ensure it remained level.
Bhandari called James into action in the 62nd minute before she was flagged for offside.
The Nix made a further two substitutions soon after, bringing on Daisy Brazendale and Manaia Elliott in place of Bott and Alyssa Whinham respectively.
Elliott headed over the bar in the 72nd minute after Bhandari stood up a cross to the back post.
The next couple of half chances fell to the visitors with Esson doing well to get her body before an awkward free-kick which bounced in front of her before holding on to a Michelle Heyman header.
There were no further openings for either side before the fulltime whistle blew.
The Wellington Phoenix will return to their Porirua Park fortress next Sunday to host Newcastle Jets.
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Vic ESSON (gk), 2. CJ BOTT (c) (15. Daisy BRAZENDALE 64th), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER, 6. Tessel MIDDAG (20. Emma MAIN 46th), 7. Grace JALE, 9. Sabitra BHANDARI, 10. Alyssa WHINHAM (11. Manaia ELLIOTT 64th), 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 21. Lara WALL, 23. Brooke NUNN (24. Pia VLOK 85th).
Unused substitutes: 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 19. Liv INGHAM.
Canberra United: 1. Sally JAMES (gk), 1. Alex MCKENZIE, 6. Josie AULICINO (44. Ava BRIEDIS 73rd), 8. Sasha GROVE, 9. Kiara DE DOMIZIO (16. Keira BOBBIN 61st), 11. Emma ROBERS, 12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG, 23. Michelle HEYMAN (c), 25. Darcey MALONE (7. Emma HAWKINS 61st), 32. Bethany GORDON (10. Mary STANIC-FLOODY 82nd), 33. Nanako SASAKI.
Unused substitutes: 18. Coco MAJSTOROVIC (gk).
Goals:
6. Josie AULICINO (Canberra United) – 18th
16. Marisa VAN DER MEER (Wellington Phoenix) – 39th
Cards:
32. Bethany GORDON (Canberra United) – yellow – 77th
