Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Melbourne Victory
By Ben Carey (10/12/23).
Above: Mariana Speckmaier watches on as Tori Hansen prepares to kick the ball. Photo: Melbourne Victory.
Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory played out a thrilling 2-2 draw on a windy Sunday evening in the New Zealand capital.
The match started in a very high-tempo fashion, with beautiful, attacking football played down both ends of the pitch, but Melbourne Victory had the better of the chances. In the 15th minute, a beautifully weighted corner kick from Beattie Goad found the head of Victory captain, Kayla Morrison, who put it into the side netting.
The Phoenix, however, were not at all disheartened. They picked themselves up and immediately found a response. A high, looping corner kick from Hope Breslin down the other end looked to be curling out of play, but a well-positioned Mariana Speckmaier, poised just past the far post, headed the ball back into the six-yard box and it was headed home by Kate Taylor.
Wellington Phoenix held on to the momentum tightly and just over five minutes later pulled off another successful attack on Lydia William’s goal. A thunderbolt from Kelli Brown outside the 18-yard box beat Williams and ricocheted off the top right corner of the goals. Emma Main was the quickest to react, beating a Victory defender and heading the ball into the goals to give the Phoenix the lead.
By this point, Wellington Phoenix were by no means steamrolling Melbourne Victory, but they definitely had the momentum and were looking strong in possession. However, about five minutes before halftime, Elise Kellond-Knight, in the middle of the park, played a phenomenal ball in behind the Phoenix backline, which found Kurea Okino. Okino was able to take the ball past the keeper and slot it home to equalise for Victory. It was the first goal scored with a foot, the first three having been headers.
The second half was just as exciting and high energy, but the majority of the action took place in the midfield. It was also a lot more physical, with both teams desperate to grab all three points. With about 10 minutes to go in regulation time, both teams began to look fatigued, and space started to open up on both sides of the pitch.
Wellington Phoenix’s game-winning chance came in the 85th minute after an exquisite ball from Alyssa Whinham in the midfield found Speckmaier with only the goalkeeper to beat. She seemed to have time to find the finish but just wasn’t able to put the shot on target. Shortly after stoppage time began, Victory had their own chance to win the match. McKenzie Weinert ran into the box, beating a few Phoenix defenders and put a shot on target, but Rylee Foster produced an excellent save to deny her.
Wellington Phoenix played a solid match. They dominated possession and used quick, accurate passing and well-timed runs to create numerous opportunities on goal. Most impressively, they came back from a goal down to take the lead, and they kept attacking until the very end. Foster put in a great shift in goals, making seven saves to keep her side in the match.
Kate Taylor and Zoe McMeeken were fantastic in the backline, Taylor using her physicality and positioning to her advantage, and McMeeken using her speed and foot skills. The battle between McMeeken and Weinert was a fascinating one, McMeeken winning the majority of the battles.
Melbourne Victory also played a very good match. Although they didn’t have the majority of the possession, they were very effective when they did have the ball, able to create almost twice the number of shots on target as the Phoenix. Victory also showed their fighting spirit, coming back from a goal down to draw the match and take a point home to Melbourne.
Morrison was exceptional (as always) for Victory, scoring a phenomenal header and putting in a solid shift in the centre of defence. Goad had a very good match, bagging a fine assist, and creating a number of other goalscoring opportunities. Kellond-Knight was excellent for Victory pulling the strings in midfield and providing a wonderful assist.
Teams: WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-3-3): R. Foster, Davidson, Taylor, Lake, McMeeken, Fraser, Longo, Breslin, Main, Speckmaier, Brown. Substitutes: Barry, Edwards, Elliott, M. Foster, Whinham.
Scorers: Taylor 17’, Main 24’.
MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-3-3): Williams, Nash, Morrison, Hansen, Rankin, Kellond-Knight, Murphy, Lowe, Goad, Okino, Weinert. Substitutes: Templeman, Zois, Checker, O’Grady, D’Appolonia.
Scorers: Morrison 15’, Okino 37’.
Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley.
Attendance: TBD
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