Wellington Phoenix 0 Canberra United 1
By Joe Rosedon 11/11/24
Above: Michelle Heyman, Maja Markovski and Mary Stanic-Floody. Photo: Canberra United.
A hundredth Canberra United goal from Michelle Heyman combined with a superb second half performance from goalkeeper Sally James was enough to keep up their perfect start to the season, defeating Wellington Phoenix 1-0.
The only goal in the game came in the eleventh minute. A great team move saw Heyman lay the ball off to Emma Robers on the centre circle. Robers then split the Wellington defence open with an intricate through ball to Maja Markovski. Markovski was able to hold off Tiana Jaber in the box, remain composed and square the ball to Heyman for the simplest of finishes.
Wellington were positive with their response, getting into promising positions but unable to produce many clear cut goal scoring opportunities and trouble Sally James. Likewise,
Canberra were unable to really create anything of substance after their goal until the back end of the first half
Mary Stanic-Floody found Heyman in the box. In classic centre-forward fashion, Heyman flicked the ball onto an onrushing Aideen Keane who was met bravely by Carolina Vilão to smother the ball.
Keane again could have scored. Grace Jale gave the ball away cheaply and the counter was on. Keane was in behind the Wellington defensive line but skewed her effort wide of the target.
The half time interval seemed to do Wellington some good. From kick off, the home side were on the attack, working it to Manaia Elliott in the penalty area. Elliott could only fire over the bar from a tight angle
The highlight of the game however was soon to follow. Wellington captain Annalie Longo’s dog fancied a kick about. After jinking through the midfield, the dog was cynically brought down by Longo and returned to the touchline.
This brilliant play brought the biggest cheer of the afternoon from the Yellow Fever who launched into a rendition of Who Let the Dogs Out.
Longo’s dog seemed to give her and Wellington newfoundpurpose. Her lofted corner was met by a rising Jale. The ball looked destined for the net. James had other ideas, producing a tremendous reflex save.
Wellington were starting to ramp up the pressure. Emma Main fired straight at James from the right-hand side whilst Alyssa Whinham was inches away from an equaliser, striking the post from the edge of the area.
James again was called into action. The keeper palmed Jale’scross into the pass of Whinham. With the goal at her mercy, Whinham somehow lifted the ball over the bar. Elliot came close again, her near post attempt pushed away for a corner by James. Canberra were holding on for dear life.
Another Wellington corner in the dying stages almost drew them level. James stood strong again by meeting Jale’s header with a strong palm to keep the away sides lead intact and insuring a first victory for Canberra in New Zealand.
Teams: WELLINGTON PHOENIX: Vilão, Jaber, Lake, Barry, Elliott, Longo, McCutcheon, McMeeken, Whinham, Main, Jale. Subtitutes: Feingberg-Danieli, Fergusson, Tanaka, Brazendale, Wall.
CANBERRA UNITED: James, Taylor-Young, Anton, McKenzie, Christopherson, Malone, Stanic-Floody, Robers, Markovski, Heyman, Keane Substitutes: Majstrorovic, Murray, Dos Santos, Nathan, Bertolissio.
Scorer: Heyman 11’.
Referee: Beth Rattray.
Attendance: 645.
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