A weekend full of learnings for the Wellington Phoenix academy.
The highlight came at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, Nathan Walker coolly slotting a penalty to equalise against Chile at a sold-out Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos.
The Wellington Phoenix were heavily represented in the junior All Whites side, boasting four of the starting XI and a further five substitutes.
A last-minute winner for the hosts condemned New Zealand to a 2-1 defeat, and they will look to kickstart their tournament against Egypt at 9am on Wednesday.
The OFC U-19 Women’s Championship saw more positive results, with New Zealand staying perfect through three games.
Ten Phoenix players were involved as a 7-0 win over Tahiti was followed by a 4-0 victory over New Caledonia and an 11-0 hammering of Vanuatu.
Amber de Wit and Lily Brazendale netted in all three matches, with de Wit named player of the match against New Caledonia, while Daisy Brazendale captained the side in the first game.
Poppy O’Brien also scored against Vanuatu.
There were tough losses for the National League sides, with both teams missing a number of players due to international duty.
The men’s reserves went down 5-3 to Wellington Olympic in a chaotic game.
After the 5-time reigning Central League and back to back Chatham Cup champions raced out to a 4-0 lead, a youthful Phoenix side fought back, with two own goals and Ollie Grosso’s first at this level ensuring a frantic finish.
The women’s reserves also lost their National League opener, 4-1 to 2023 finalists Southern United.
Freya Des Fountain scored a consolation goal, bundling home from a corner.
And the U-18 women also fell to defeat against Southern United in the Youth National League, losing 3-2.
Paige Doran and Olivia Goodwin scored for the Nix.
This weekend, the men’s reserves travel to Auckland to face the Auckland FC reserves, with the women’s reserves hosting Petone at home.
The U-18 women have a bye.
Cover photo credit: Photomac/Cam McIntosh
