Western Sydney Wanderers 0-3 Wellington Phoenix
by Denise Duffy (22/10/23).
Above: Wellington Phoenix celebrate at Western Sydney Wanderers today. Photo: Wellington Phoenix.
Wellington Phoenix overcame warm conditions in Parramatta to rout Western Sydney Wanderers with their possession based style of play contributing to this dominant performance.
Both sides began as two teams hungry for some early season points. The game opened with neither team dominant. A shift of momentum happened around the 10th minute when the Phoenix began to execute triangular passing, hitting higher percentage passes while systematically moving the ball up the pitch. They ended the match with 62.5% possession.
The turning point was a 68th-minute set piece that led to the acrobatic goal off the head American born Venezuelan international Mariana Specimaier. It gave the Phoenix their first goal of the season and proved to be the game-winner.
The attacking continued with an additional goal in the 83rd minute from the edge of the box by technical phenom Macey Fraser assisted by Manaia Elliot. Fraser then returned the favor and assisted Elliot with a goal in the 87th minute.
Since coming into the match last week, there is no denying that the Nix have a gem on their side with the offensive prowess of American-born Venezuelan import Speckmaier. She won the battle of the Clemson Tigers with Western Sydney Wanderers Maliah Morris also making a huge impact offensively. Morris will be a person to watch going forward.
Coach Paul Temple had this to say about Speckmaier post-match: “I think she’s a really smart footballer. And she found some space at the back where she wasn’t marked and we’d targeted far post deliveries this afternoon and felt that was where we could get some joy so it was nice to see the delivery land exactly where we needed it and she found some space.”
Wanderers, relying on transitional play with Morris leading the way, saw some promising moments in the second half. However, it was Mackenzie Barry tracking back with two goal-saving defensive plays that kept the Phoenix in the match. Rylee Foster also came up with several saves. The match was a full team effort by the Phoenix and one that they will use as a foundation for the future.
An injury to Wanderer Melissa Caceras led to the insertion of 14-year-old Talia Younis. Younis came to the league 49 days before Sam Kerr did, making her the youngest player ever to play in the A-League Women Younis had quality minutes with the Wanderers and will be a presence going forward.
Phoenix head coach Paul Temple said after the match: “So in the end it was a really good night for all of us and I’m proof that if we play the style of football that we want to have the energy that we need then good things can happen and it’s it’s gonna be good for our confidence now.”
“Obviously the goal then enabled us to really kick on and show what we were about. And I think that last 20 minutes is much more of the identity that we want to show and that we want to be known for.”
Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (4-2-3-1): Collins, Matos, Bruce, McComasky, Apostolakis, Chessari, Harrison, Breier, Caceras, Gordon, Rue, Harding. Substitutes: Caspers, Ferris, Khamis (GK), Price, Younis.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-3-3): R.Foster, Davidson, Barry, van der Meer, Foster, Wisnewski, Taylor, Fraser, Breslin, Speckmaier, Main. Substitutes: Brown, Edwards (GK), Elliott, Knott, Lake.
Scorers: Speckmaier 68’, Fraser 83’, Elliot 87’
Referee: Isabella Libre.
Attendance: TBC.
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