The Wellington Phoenix are determined to bounce back from their first defeat of the Ninja A-League season.
The Phoenix women are visiting Perth Glory in the distance derby, five days after a harsh 1-0 loss to reigning premiers Melbourne City in Melbourne.
Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman says she was devastated to not leave Victoria without any points.
“We play that game nine times out of 10 and the result is different based on the performance and based on the stats,” Priestman told media via zoom on Thursday.
“We’re a team that’s grown. Every game we’ve got better and more consistent. From an overall performance the last two games have been across 90 minutes that I’ve been really happy with.
“There are different types of teams that you want to play and we want to be a team off the back of a loss but a winning performance that you don’t want to play.
“The ones that have got the bit between their teeth and are ready to go and are back again to that same level.”
The Nix flew to Perth on Monday and Priestman says it’s been an advantage to spend a few days together in Western Australia.
“Whenever you look at the fixtures you look at when the Perth game is going to be and they probably do the same coming all the way to Wellington.
“We’ve been fortunate in the sense this is coming off the back of another away game so we have to take that opportunity.
“The group getting here a few days early I can definitely see the benefit of a back-to-back away trip; get acclimatised, if you ever get acclimatised, but get the jet lag out of the system and ready to roll tomorrow.”
The Glory start the round at the bottom of the A-League ladder, but Wellington are “not taking Perth lightly”.
“The table itself probably isn’t doing them justice. They definitely have threat going forward, they can be direct and they’ve got a dynamic front three that can interchange well.
“I think we’ve got to show them the respect with what they can do going that way and we’ve obviously identified some areas where we think we can hurt them.
“They’ll be out to put their start to the season right and so we’re really going to have to take it to them and bring our best and build on the performance we’ve had.
“I’ve said to the group that the best teams grow every single game, they don’t stagnate.”
The Phoenix boast the second best defence in the A-League, only conceding three goals, but they’ve also only found the back of the net three times in their first four matches.
“I think it’s part of my DNA and my identity that I’m going to coach a team that is hard to beat. Hard work and people being on the same page is something you can see in the team now.
“Do you a want to be able to go and attack and do more of that? Absolutely, but to hit the woodwork three times against City, it’s coming. The process is there.
“Can we be better in the delivery and in the box? …absolutely but I do think now with Samba back and we’re starting to get some partnerships again, I’ve got no doubt it’s coming.
“I think we’re a pretty solid team and what I do know over the long run is being a hard team to beat is what can win you a championship. We are that as it stands. We just also want to turn the screw at the other end of the pitch.”
Nepal striker Sabitra Bhandari has been cleared to play against Perth after limping off early in the second half of the defeat to City.
“Samba’s good. To be fair it was the 59th minute and she could only play 60 in that game, so it probably happened at the right time. But Samba’s fine.”
Fellow off-season signing Lucía León is a chance of making her first start for the Nix after making her club debut off the bench on Sunday.
“Lu brings a lot on the pitch but also off the pitch to this team. She brings a real calmness, and nothing phases her in that sense.
“To bring that level experience and proven A-League experience into the team is really beneficial.
“You can expect Lu to see some good minutes, which will be really beneficial for the team.”
The round six Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory is scheduled to kick-off at Sam Kerr Football Centre in Perth at 12am Saturday (7pm AWST Friday) and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 1 in New Zealand, and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 16 February 2025 – Perth Glory 2 Wellington Phoenix 1
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 3W, Glory 5W, 0D.
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 2. CJ BOTT (c), 3. Tiana JABER, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER, 7. Grace JALE, 9. Sabitra BHANDARI, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 13. Brooke NEARY (gk), 14. Lucía LEÓN, 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE, 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 20. Emma MAIN, 21. Lara WALL, 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK, 27. Zoe BENSON, 28. Grace BARTLETT.
Unavailable: 6. Tessel MIDDAG (injured), 8. Macey FRASER (personal reasons), 10. Alyssa WHINHAM (injured), 18. Ella MCCANN (injured).
Perth Glory squad (two to be omitted): 1. Teresa MORRISSEY (gk), 2. Mischa ANDERSON, 3. Emma TOVAR, 5. Grace JOHNSTON, 6. Tijan MCKENNA, 8. Georgia CASSIDY, 9. Gabby HOLLAR, 10. Susan PHONSONGKHAM, 12. Bronte TREW, 13. Naomi CHINNAMA, 17. Rola BADAWIYA, 22. Ischia BROOKING, 23. Isobel DALTON (c), 24. Julia SARDO, 25. Ella LINCOLN, 27. Charli WAINWRIGHT, 28. Clancy WESTAWAY, 29. Onyinyechi ZOGG, 30. Jessica SKINNER (gk).
Unavailable: 7. Megan WYNNE (injured), 11. Natalie TATHEM (injured), 20. Ella ABDUL MASSIH (injured).
Main image: Wellington Phoenix players in a huddle after the 1-0 defeat to Melbourne City at ctrl:cyber Pitch in Melbourne. Photo: Jordan Martin/Jordan M Sport
