A stern test for the inform Wellington Phoenix to round out 2024.
The Phoenix are visiting top of the table Melbourne City, who are the Ninja A-League’s only remaining unbeaten team seven rounds into the new season.
But the Nix themselves are on a club record four match unbeaten run, with three wins and a draw, and are heading to Melbourne “with confidence” after returning home from Victoria with a point earlier this month.
“City have got very good players, they’ve got a good squad, but we’re in good form and we’re going there, with the view like we do every week, ‘how can we win this game?’,” Phoenix head coach Paul Temple told media after training on Friday.
“We’ll have our plan tactically and we’ll have the way that we want to do that and set up.
“Last time out in Victoria we did really well against the Victory and deserved our point.
“Hopefully we can be the first team to knock City over. That’s the plan so we’ll go there with confidence.”
Temple acknowledges it’s going to be “a big task” to hand the competition leaders their first defeat.
“They’re top of the table for a reason.
“They’ve got a nice blend of young players coming through and experienced players that have been there for a number of years, won titles and know what it’s all about.
“New coach Michael [Matricciani] has inherited a really good group and he’s done a good job so far and they’re tracking well, but every team in his league has got their weaknesses as well.
“It’s about trying to identify those and being able to capitalise on them and be good enough to take your chances when they come.
“We’re going to have to be at our best tomorrow but there’s no reason why we can’t go there and get a result.”
The Nix returned to training on Boxing Day after the players were given a couple of days off to enjoy Christmas.
“I think it’s always nice to be able to have Christmas Day off with your family.
“Some of the players got to go back home and the visa players all went around to Emma Main’s and she looked after them. Everyone had a nice Christmas.
“It’s certainly makes it harder for the week to prepare because it’s a big game away from home and it’s one last day on the training pitch.
“We tried to make up for it yesterday and today with what we’ve done.”
Paul Temple has a near full-strength squad to pick from with only long-term absentees Ella McCann and Rebecca Lake unavailable for selection.
Goalkeeper Aimee Danieli has been cleared to return to the matchday squad after recovering from the concussion which she suffered on the eve of their Unite Round match against Adelaide United last month.
“Everyone’s in good shape. Everyone’s feeling good, healthy and injury-free.
“The medical team behind the scenes are doing a tremendous job, because this is a tough period.
“You get to week eight and the loading is high, you’ve played lots of games and things start to be more challenging.
“We’ve got more days off around Christmas and New Year, we’ve got shorter working weeks going into games, and we’ve got a double-header coming up.
“All of these things are hard to manage as a medical team but so far they’re doing a tremendous job, and we’re fit and healthy and got a full squad to pick from.”
New signing Amelia Abbott is also a chance of making her professional debut for the Phoenix, a little over a week after joining the club from the University of Texas.
“Potentially. She’s certainly got to build up a little bit more match fitness.
“With the way the seasons have synced it hasn’t been quite as good as Alivia Kelly’s flow into things, so she might need a bit more time.
“But she’s settled in great and has added already to the group so it’s really great to have her.
“She covers off a few positions for us so she’s going to be really important for the squad and we’re looking forward to having her out there.”
The eighth round Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City is scheduled to kick-off at ctrl:cyber Pitch in Melbourne at 7pm (5pm AEDT) Saturday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 4 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ and 10 Play in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 20 January 2024 – Melbourne City 2 Wellington Phoenix 1
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 0W, City 4W, 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, 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).
Melbourne City squad (two to be omitted): 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly McNAMARA, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (c), 14. Laura HUGHES, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 24. Malena MIERES (gk), 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC.
Unavailable: 20. Caitlin KARIC (injured).
Main image: Head coach Paul Temple talks to the squad at a Wellington Phoenix training session at NZCIS. Photo: Cam McIntosh/Photomac.
