The Wellington Phoenix look to get back on track in Brisbane.
Phoenix head coach Paul Temple is ready for a rematch with a dynamic Brisbane Roar side.
The first meeting between the teams saw Wellington win 2-1, an Annalie Longo double securing a victory at Porirua Park in December.
However, Temple still sees room to improve from that match.
“There’s always some crossover in what you can get out of a game when you’ve had those good performances against someone before,” he said.
“I think we’re both in slightly different states. That was when we were coming right out of our first victory, and still trying to find ourselves.
“Statistically, we weren’t great in that game, but we managed to get over the line.
“I want to go to Brisbane, and have more control over the situation of the game and stamp our football over there.”
While the Roar are comfortably the top scorers in the A-League, Temple sees a blueprint to take all three points again.
“It’s like watching Spurs, all-out attack. They score lots of goals, concede some too. They’re pretty exciting to watch.
“How do you deal with them? I think you have to try and limit the amount of controlled possession that they have because they’re good with the ball.
“We’ve got to be tuned in tactically, and make sure that we’re organised and secure, especially from that defensive point of view.
“As much as they have a threat going forward, they’ve also shown vulnerabilities at the back, and we’ve got to try and play into some spaces and expose that.
“I think it’s two pretty similar teams in terms of style and what we’re trying to do. I’m looking forward to this one.”
After a close loss to the Central Coast Mariners last week, there is extra incentive to secure points in the playoff hunt.
“There’s always things to improve on. It was a pretty tight game, there wasn’t a huge amount in it. But there are definitely some things we can work on.
“We were talking about what our DNA is and making sure we’re bringing that to all the games. That was probably the little bit of essence that was missing from our performance.
“We weren’t quite as aggressive with the press and with the ball in terms of the runs and the forward nature of our play up until that point in the season.
“We were probably five or ten percent below where we usually are, and I think that made a big difference. It’s just about getting back to that against Brisbane this week.”
And new signing Amelia Abbott could make her debut after impressing in training.
“She’s getting better every session, you can see the sharpness coming, fitness coming. She’s pushing, and could be involved this week.
“She’s played in midfield, at centre back for her university. She gives us some really good options. We’ve looked at her at fullback in training as well.
“She’s a real utility as to what she can do for the team, so a good player to have around.”
Travelling to Queensland also presents a different environment, with difficult weather and a raucous home crowd both expected to feature heavily.
“It’ll be hotter than Wellington. We’re expecting more heat and humidity.
“I stayed on in Sydney for a day and I think we had about 39 degrees. We had thunderstorms, it’s muggy and a different climate to Wellington.
“It’s another challenge, but at the moment we’re getting that quite consistently when we go to Australia so we’re getting used to it.
“I’m also looking forward to getting to Perry Park, I think it’s awesome what they’ve been doing there, getting big crowds. We wax lyrical about Porirua Park, and what that brings.
“Two away trips in a row is a breeze compared to last season. I think it’s been a hard start to the week, but the last few days have been sharp, players have been back at it. We’ll go to Brisbane ready and fully fit.”
The round 14 Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar is scheduled to kick-off at Perry Park in Brisbane at 8pm (5pm AEST) Sunday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 2 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ and 10 Play in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 8 December 2024 – Wellington Phoenix 2 Brisbane Roar 1
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 2W, Roar 2W, 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, 8. Amelia ABBOTT, 9. Olivia FERGUSSON, 10. Alyssa WHINHAM, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 14. Mebae TANAKA, 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE, 16. Annalie LONGO (c), 19. Liv INGHAM, 20. Emma MAIN, 21. Lara WALL, 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 39. Carolina VILÃO (gk).
Unavailable: 18. Ella MCCANN (injured), 23. Rebecca LAKE (injured).
Brisbane Roar squad (two to be omitted): 1. Keeley RICHARDS (gk), 2. Leia VARLEY, 3. Deborah-Anne DE LA HARPE, 8. Mariel HECHER, 9. Danelle TAN, 10. Grace KUILAMU, 12. Tamar Levin 13. Tameka YALLOP (c), 14. Zara KRUGER, 16. Chelsea BLISSETT, 17. Evdokia POPADINOVA, 18. Emily PRINGLE, 19. Laini FREIER, 20. Tanaye MORRIS, 23. Isabella Hoyos 32. Alicia WOODS, 33. Olivia SEKANY (gk), 99. Emma GIBBON (gk).
Unavailable: 4. Kijah STEPHENSON (injured), 6. Holly MCQUEEN (suspended), 7. Momo HAYASHI (injured), 11. Sharn FREIER (injured), 22. Ruby CUTHBERT (injured).
