Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Brisbane Roar
By Kieran Yap 8/12/24
Above: Wellington Phoenix celebrate Annalie Longo’s first half goal. Photo: Official Media
A brace from Annalie Longo against Brisbane Roar delivered Wellington Phoenix their second win of the season.
Although this fixture was missing some star power, there was more than enough talent on the park at Jerry Collins Stadium.
Brisbane Roar travelled to New Zealand in strong form but without Tameka Yallop and Sharn Freier. The attacking pair both scored for Australia on Saturday night and would prove hard to replace, although Emily Pringle did a very good job of trying.
Wellington welcomed the visitors looking to build on last round’s win against Adelaide. Their first of the season snapped a run of consecutive losses and if that game gave the fans hope, this one should give them confidence.
Things looked bright for Brisbane early on. Evdokiya Popadinova looked certain to score but missed the target and Emily Pringle was thwarted by Carolina Vilao after bursting clear. The Portuguese goalkeeper struggled to adapt in her first three A-League games, but after two match-winning performances in a row looks to be one of the better imports in the competition.
It was Wellington who opened the scoring. It was not exactly against the run of play, but felt like a surprise nonetheless.
A short corner can be frustrating for fans, but a short goal kick can be heart-stopping. Wellington intercepted the ball at the second pass out from the back and Longo tucked away the eventual chance despite a hint of offside.
Pringle levelled things up for Roar with a terrific solo goal. She burst through the centre and cut wide. After holding off challenges from two phoenix defenders including the rapid Zoe McMeeken she finished low at the near post for one of the best goals of the round.
Alyssa Whinham tried to respond for Wellington. But after wriggling between a pair of Roar players she curled her shot agonisingly wide.
The task became harder for the visitors when striker Popadonva was withdrawn early in the second half. It appeared to be a hamstring injury and she joins other star signing Danelle Tan on the sidelines.
Wellington retook the lead in the 69th minute. Longo’s effort from distance squirmed under Olivia Sekany to make it 2-1 to the hosts.
She almost had a third late in the game but her clipped effort skimmed over the bar.
Wellington travel next round to face an in-form Melbourne Victory. On paper, Victory look to be the favourites, but Wellington will be confident having just ended a three match winning streak by Brisbane.
The Roar will face the Central Coast in what is shaping up to be one of the games of the round. The Mariners are one of only two undefeated sides left after five rounds and will be a strong challenge to face when trying to rebound from a loss.
Teams: WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-4-2): Vilao, McMeeken, Barry, Jaber, Wall, Tanaka, McCutcheon, Longo, Whinham, Ferguson, Brazendale. Substitutes: Main, Jale, Elliot, Kelly, Neary.
Scorers: Longo 34’, 69’.
BRISBANE ROAR (4-4-1-1): Sekany, Blissett, McQueen, Varley, De La Harpe, Hayashi, Woods, Pringle, Hecher, Levin, Popadoniva. Substitutes: Kuilamu, Kruger, L. Freier, Richards, Hoyos.
Scorer: Pringle 45’,
Referee: Rachael Mitchenson.
Attendance: 503.
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