Melbourne City have ended the Wellington Phoenix’s unbeaten start to the new Ninja A-League season.
The reigning premiers have beaten the Phoenix 1-0 in clinical fashion at ctrl:cyber Pitch in Melbourne, scoring from their only shot on target in the 86th minute.
It was a tough result to take for the Nix, who had nine shots to City’s two and struck the woodwork on three occasions.
Head coach Bev Priestman was philosophical after the match.
“Away from home we’ve struggled and this is probably the most complete performance we’ve had in my time so far,” Priestman said.
“I think we have to be proud of how much we dominated in the box. We limited them to two shots and one of them was a poor defensive set play.
“I’m frustrated and I think the team are but this game can’t define us. We did a very good job against a very good Melbourne City team and now we have to grow from this.
“We have to put the ball in the back of the net and that’s a different game.”
Lucía León made her long-awaited debut for Wellington as a second half substitute, while Zoe Benson also made her bow for the club just eight days after being named player of the match for Auckland United in the National League Championship grand final.
“Zoe Benson I thought when she came on she did a really good job of showing what she can do.
“I thought she was dangerous and direct and I had no doubt about putting her in the game.
“Lu’s got great experience and in a game like that when you’re weighing up how much you go for it and how much you have to worry about going the other way, you bring her experience in to do that and I thought she was outstanding when she went in.”
Bev Priestman made two changes to the XI which started their 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory last month with goalkeeper Aimee Danieli and striker Sabitra Bhandari replacing Vic Esson and Emma Main respectively. Danieli was handed her first A-League start after Esson picked up an injury while away with the Football Ferns.
Danieli had a couple of nervy moments with her feet in the first half, but wasn’t called upon to make a save before halftime.
City dominated possession, but most of it was in their half and they didn’t register a single shot in the first 45 minutes.
CJ Bott, who was confirmed as the team’s captain earlier in the day, had the Phoenix’s first chance in the 22nd minute after midfielder partner Grace Jale won possession high up the pitch. Bott however was unable to test City goalkeeper Malena Mieres as she dragged her effort wide of the left-hand post.
Bhandari had a shot blocked from the edge of the box soon after as the Nix enjoyed a good spell.
Mieres was comfortably the busier of the two ‘keepers in the first half. She comfortably claimed a long-range effort from Ellie Walker in the 35th minute before punching clear a threatening left-wing cross from Lara Wall.
The Spanish goalkeeper also was quick off her line to snuff out an opportunity for Bhandari moments later after the Nepalese striker nodded into the City penalty area for herself.
Marisa van der Meer received attention at the end of the first half after copping an elbow from Shelby McMahon that opened up a cut above van der Meer’s left eye.
Wellington came closest to breaking the deadlock when they were down to 10. Grace Jale delivered a great diagonal ball that got Manaia Elliott in behind the City defence. Elliott found Bhandari in the box and she laid it off for Brooke Nunn, who saw her shot rattle the crossbar. Jale skied her follow up over the bar.
The second half started in much the same vein as the first, with City having the majority of possession but not threatening Danieli in goal.
Her opposite Mieres made a top save five minutes after the break to prevent the Phoenix from taking the lead. She acrobatically kept out a shot from Elliott that looked destined to nestle inside the right-hand post.
Priestman had to make her first substitution shortly before the hour mark with Bhandari limping off and replaced by Emma Main.
There was no goalmouth action for the next quarter of an hour but the Nix continued to control the midfield and frustrate the hosts.
León came on for her Phoenix debut in the 72nd minute in place of Wall, who had worked tirelessly down the left flank.
Holly McNamara had City’s first shot of the contest four minutes later but van der Meer was able to get a foot to it and deflect it wide of goal.
Wellington looked more likely to break the deadlock.
Seconds after McNamara’s half chance, Pia Vlok turned and shot straight at Mieres before Nunn unleashed an effort from distance that lacked the power to trouble the City ‘keeper.
Main came within millimetres of giving the Phoenix the lead in the 81st minute when she showed great strength to hold off her defender in the box but dragged her shot into the left-hand post.
Benson entered the came soon after in place of former Auckland United teammate Vlok.
Veteran Football Ferns defender Rebekah Stott ended the stalemate with four minutes remaining in the 90 when she nodded home from a yard out after City headed a left-wing free kick back across goal.
The Nix came close to equalising from the kick-off, with Mieres palming a shot from Elliott on to her crossbar.
Manaia Elliott had the final opening for Wellington in time added on after Jale found her in space on the right flank. Elliott went for goal, instead of trying to pick out a teammate, and this time was unable to test the ‘keeper and City held on to claim all three points.
The Wellington Phoenix will remain on the other side of the Tasman. They’ll travel to Perth tomorrow (Monday) to prepare for Friday night’s match against the Glory.
Wellington Phoenix: 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 2. CJ BOTT (c), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER, 7. Grace JALE, 9. Sabitra BHANDARI (20. Emma MAIN 58th), 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 21. Lara WALL (14. Lucía LEÓN 72nd), 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK (27. Zoe BENSON 83rd).
Unused substitutes: 13. Brooke NEARY (gk), 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE, 28. Grace BARTLETT.
Melbourne City: 24. Malena MIERES (gk), 3. Danielle TURNER, 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia MCKENNA (15. Chinaza UCHENDU 64th), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly MCNAMARA, 12. Shelby MCMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (c), 14. Laura HUGHES, 18. Leah DAVIDSON (11. Deven JACKSON 83rd), 21. Aideen KEANE (7. Danella BUTRUS 83rd).
Unused substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 2. Ellie WILSON, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN.
Goals:
13. Rebekah STOTT (Melbourne City) – 86th
Cards:
12. Shelby MCMAHON (Melbourne City) – yellow – 45th
11. Manaia ELLIOTT (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 68th
16. Marisa VAN DER MEER (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 90+4
Main image: Wellington Phoenix players gather in a huddle during their round six match against Melbourne City. Photo: Jordan Martin/Jordan M Sport.
