Wellington Phoenix 2-0 Canberra United
By Kieran Yap 28/1/24
Above: Wellington players mob Brianna Edwards after her penalty save. Photo Wellington Phoenix
A Marianna Speckmaier double and some heroics from Brianna Edwards gave Wellington Phoenix a 2-0 win against Canberra United and reversed a run of four straight losses.
The Nix were playing at home for the first time in over a month, but any hope that provided their fans was tempered by the absences of Michaela Foster and Mackenzie Barry. Canberra United arrived in Porirua looking to make amends after a last-minute defeat to Melbourne Victory in the previous round.
Zoe McMeeken was deployed at left back by Pheonix coach Paul Temple but spent the opening stages operating more as an out and out winger. Her direct running brought the crowd the life early and created the home side’s first opportunity of the game. At the other end, Michelle Heyman was causing problems, and up against Tiana Jaber league’s greatest goal scorer was looking dangerous early.
In response to McMeekan’s attacks, Canberra United swapped their own fullbacks. Tegan Bertolissio and Sasha Grove switched flanks in an effort to unlock the latter’s attacking potential, and for much of the first half it was an even affair even if Wellington did provide the better highlights. Speckmaier’s nutmeg of Cannon Clough delighted the home crowd and her shot from the tight angle tested Chloe Lincoln who needed two grabs to snuff out the danger.
The opening goal arrived in the shadows of half time. Isabel Cox dissected the Canberra defence with a through ball to Speckmaier. The Venezuelan striker burst through and clipped her shot over Lincoln in a moment of poise and composure.
Speckmaier doubled the lead in the 52nd minute from a corner kick and The Pheonix appeared to be in cruise control, but a contentious red card to Rylee Foster barely 10 minutes later changed the momentum of the game. Most players an fans were confused at best when the Wellington goalkeeper was dismissed for an elbow into the stomach of Sofia Christopherson. That contact was made is undeniable, but whether it was forceful enough or intentional at all will be strongly debated.
When the confusion settled, Macey Fraser was withdrawn and Brianna Edwards entered the game. The substitute goalkeeper’s first task was to face a penalty from Maria Rojas. The save was celebrated like a goal as she dove to her right and pushed the ball away with two hands.
With The Phoenix players flooding back to preserve the score, Canberra had the opportunity to attack, although not the space. Long shots were blocked while Heyman and Rojas were both crowded out by the numbers of Wellington players behind the ball.
The comeback looked like a tall task for the visitors while the home side were spurred out by vocal support. Every clearance tackle and foul earned was greeted with rousing encouragement as the Nix edged toward a drought breaking win.
When the whistle went, it was a triumphant moment for Wellington. They had broken a four game losing streak and done It with a mix of panache and grit. In some ways this might be their most mature performance. They had to manage the game against one of the leagues most dangerous attacks, and do so with only 10 players on the pitch.
Next week, they are on the road again to face Newcastle in a winnable game, but they will hope that Mackenzie Barry returns to try and stop the likes of Sarina Bolden. Canberra United will host Melbourne City in what can only be described as a tough challenge.
Teams:
Wellington Phoenix 4-3-3: Foster (GK), Davidson, Jaber, Lake, McMeeken, Longo, Taylor, Fraser, Cox, Speckmaier, Breslin. Substitutes: Edwards, Brazendale, Elliot, McMillan, Whinham.
Scorerer: Speckmaier 43’ 52’
Canberra United 4-2-3-1: Lincoln (GK), Grove, Clarke, Clough, Bertolissio, Jacksnon, Milivojevic, Murray, Whittall, Stanic-Floody, Heyman Substitutes: Rojas, Nathan, Chrisopherson, Piazza, Majstorovic.
Referee: Holly Godsell
Attendance: TBC
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