The Wellington Phoenix women are looking forward to the Ninja A-League season after ending their pre-season a perfect three from three.
A week-long trip to Australia saw the Nix defeat Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 and Sydney FC 2-0.
Zoe Benson netted in both games, while Emma Taylor-Main scored the second against Sydney FC.Â
The team then travelled to Auckland on Saturday to beat Eastern Suburbs 2-1.
The scorers were Sienna Candy and Makala Woods, who nabbed a last-minute winner.
Head coach Bev Priestman believes the games have offered valuable preparation for the upcoming season, which begins on Sunday against Melbourne City at Hnry Stadium.
“One of the big things that we wanted this pre-season was to get more women’s matches in,” she said.
“With some of the management of minutes and injuries, I think we only had 30 minutes of what we wanted to see.
“But overall to get two clean sheets and two wins against A-League sides in Australia and then to go up to Auckland on the day and to get a really good game against Eastern Suburbs was really pleasing.
“They were defensively sound and it’s really good for us to experience a game where it means everything to the opposition to get a result and they dig in.”
While the lineup has been inconsistent due to injuries and international callups, there’s been the opportunity for academy players to stake their claim for playing time.
“I was delighted that all of the younger players have featured across the three games. Particularly at the weekend the young players that came in did really well.
“Sienna Candy scored, Alyssha Eglinton got 90 minutes in the tank, Lily Brazendale came on and had a great impact and Brooke Neary got some minutes in goal.
“We are a club that is all about developing players. They’ve shown me this weekend that if the moment comes and they need to be on that pitch they’re ready.”
And this weekend offers the chance to show the team’s continued growth.
“This week has a different feel to it in a good way. Opening game, double-header and a great day for the club.
“We know the early rounds of the A-League are a bit clunky and it takes time to get some flow, but absolutely our players can not wait to get out there and get things going.
“It is a new season, it’s a new chapter with a new group of players and we have to treat it that way. We’re not just starting where we left off. We have to rebuild and we have to be better at everything we did.
“We’re high on confidence but there’s still some work to do. As we know the best teams grow through the season and there’s still more work to be done.”
Meanwhile, the Phoenix men’s side lost 2-0 to Macarthur over the weekend, conceding both goals in the second half.
Mexican striker Rafael Durán stayed in Wellington and featured for the reserves after becoming a new father during the week.
He was joined by fellow first teamers Alby Kelly-Heald and Ben Trenberth.
The 2026-27 A-League season begins on Sunday at Hnry Stadium, with the women’s side facing Melbourne City at 12.15pm before the men’s team play Melbourne Victory at 3pm.
