The season is on the line for the Wellington Phoenix women in Canberra.
Nothing less than a win at McKellar Park will keep the Nix in contention for a finals spot, with just two games left in the campaign.
Head coach Paul Temple is determined to make amends after falling short in remarkably similar circumstances last year.
“It’s all or nothing now, so we know what we need to do,” he told media on Friday.
“It’s very clear, it’s a win or it’s not good enough for us to get in. That clarity helps in a way.
“We were here in the penultimate game last season, and had the agony of watching two games that we needed to go our way but didn’t.
“We found out the night before the game that we were out, and so the fate of the team was decided in Canberra, and it will be again.
“It’s kind of odd that it’s happened like that, football throws out some funny things, but this time hopefully it’s better news for us.”
While the cancellation of both Football Ferns fixtures in the break was frustrating for the players involved, it has afforded captain Annalie Longo and Mackenzie Barry extra rest.
Tiana Jaber has also returned ahead of schedule from representing Lebanon.
“The advantage from our point of view is that we’ve got them back earlier than expected.
“We planned for all the internationals to meet us in Canberra, but all three have got back earlier than we thought, and have done our three day lead in.
“It’s a bonus for us. They’ve all got back in really good spirits. They’ve rested up and the travel was good.
“Usually it’s a bit of a challenge with the international stuff, but this time around it’s a little easier from our point of view.”
It means Temple has a fully fit squad available, which is a boon this late in the season.
“They’re good to go. We’re going to need everybody, it’s that point in the season now, everyone’s all in.
“No new injuries, things are going well on that part. We’ve got that full squad to choose from.
“The sport science and medical team are doing an amazing job to have no injuries at this stage.”
Although Wellington lost the last clash between the sides back in round two, both teams have changed markedly since then.
“Those first two, three rounds, we weren’t anywhere near where we should be. We were doing some good attacking stuff, but defensively we were a little bit shaky.
“I think Antoni Jagarinec’s done a really good job. It’s a tough situation for them, there’s clouds over the ownership and things like that, but they’re achieving some good things.
“They’ve won on the road, they’re hard to break down, they’ve always got a goal threat with that front three, so you have to pay them the respect that they deserve.
“McKellar Park is always a tough place to go.”
A key to victory will be whether the Phoenix can shut down star striker Michelle Heyman, who will make her 200th A-League appearance on Sunday.
“She’s obviously hugely important, and a big personality on the pitch. You all know she’s there.
“That experience of playing that many games in the A-League does come out, you can tell her movement is clever, she’s good getting into the box, arrives at the right times, all those things that you expect from an international.
“That milestone’s pretty incredible. For someone to have 200 games in the A-League, when the league started with ten game, twelve game seasons, it’s pretty incredible.
“To be able to play for that long at that level and still be a real goal threat like she is, a lot of respect for that.”
And Temple knows that his side have the quality to deliver a positive result.
“The performances have shown, in patches, real quality and what we can do, but we’ve got to maintain it.
“The last full 90 minute performance was the last away game in Sydney a few weeks back. If we can play like we did in Sydney, I think we’ll win.
“At this point results haven’t been going our way, and so confidence is down a little.
“But it can all change in a heartbeat, so we just need to be on the front foot, get up early, and let the momentum do the rest.”
The round 22 Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Canberra United is scheduled to kick-off at McKellar Park in Canberra at 5pm (3pm AEST) Sunday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 4 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ and 10 Play in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 10 November 2024 – Wellington Phoenix 0 Canberra United 1
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 3W, Canberra 3W, 0D
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 (injured), 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk) (injured), 23. Rebecca LAKE (injured).
Canberra United squad (one to be omitted): 1. Sally JAMES (gk), 2. Alex MCKENZIE, 5. Madison AYSON, 4. Holly MURRAY, 7. Jynaya DOS SANTOS, 9. Ruby NATHAN, 10. Mary STANIC-FLOODY, 11. Emma ROBERS, 12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG, 13. Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON, 17. Maja MARKOVSKI, 18. Coco MAJSTOROVIC (c), 21. Aideen KEANE, 23. Michelle HEYMAN (c), 25. Darcey MALONE, 28. Tegan BERTOLISSIO, 32. Bethany GORDON.
