The top six may be out of reach, but the Wellington Phoenix are determined to finish the season as high as possible.

The Phoenix enter their penultimate round match against Brisbane Roar in 11^th place in the 13-team Isuzu UTE A-League.

They can’t drop any further down the ladder but they can finish as high as ninth if they win their remaining matches and other results go their way.

Sides 10^th to 13^th at the end of the round-robin will head to Darwin next month for the Australia Cup playoffs and it’s a trip Phoenix captain Alex Rufer wants to avoid.

“We know that we can’t make the finals but that’s something that we also don’t want to do now,” Rufer told media on Wednesday. “We don’t want to be in the bottom four.

“We want to make sure we win the next two games and hopefully we will finish outside the bottom four.

“At the end of the day we want to win every game and that’s the most important thing we try to do.”

Rufer insists the team’s still motivated despite being out of finals contention.

“Yea of course. I would be worried if it wasn’t.

“I think a lot of players are playing now for different things, which is fine as long as everyone’s in the right headspace, which they are.”

The captain has his own motivations.

“I’m still trying to make sure I get back to 100% fitness. I know it’s the end of the season, but I’ve missed a lot of training and games.

“There’s that aspect but also to make sure I put myself in the best place to get selected for the national team.”

Alex Rufer has missed seven of the team’s 24 A-League matches this season, primarily because of glandular fever.

“It’s been tough. It’s more the recovery which has been different.

“But I’m back now, I’m ready and I’m playing. Obviously, you want to help the team as best as possible and that’s all I can do.

“It isn’t the most ideal situation obviously, but you’ve got to do what you can and worry about what you can control.”

Saturday’s match at Suncorp Stadium comes after the team’s second trip across the Tasman in little over a week.

The Nix returned home from South Australia last weekend after a last-gasp 3-2 defeat to Adelaide United.

“It’s obviously a difficult place to travel to. Pretty disappointed the way we started the game, but that’s something that we’ve struggled at recently.

“But to come back into the game and…then to lose it like that again is pretty gutting, but we have to move on and look forward to Brisbane.”

Kosta Barbarouses scored the first goal of the comeback and now has 10 for the season.

“I’ve known Kosta for a long time and obviously fans and players around the league know how influential he is and how good he is as a player.

“A couple of years ago when people were against him, or he copped a lot of slack, there was no doubt in our minds how good of a player he was.

“He showed last season he scored 13 goals and this season in a team that’s struggled he’s delivering every week and he probably gets the least amount of chances of any striker.

“He’s a great leader, he’s a great professional and a great player for the young players to look up to.”

Brisbane has been an unhappy hunting ground for Wellington. The team has won just four of its previous 25 visits to the city.

“It’s obviously difficult, but nothing that we haven’t done before so we need to make sure we go there with the right mindset and try get three points.”

The round 28 Isuzu UTE A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar is scheduled to kick-off at Suncorp Stadium at 5pm (3pm AEST) Saturday and will be broadcast free-to-air in New Zealand on Sky Open and LIVE on Sky Sport 3 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ in Australia.

Most recent meeting: 6 February 2025 – Wellington Phoenix 1 Brisbane Roar 1

All-time A-League head-to-head: Phoenix 13W, Roar 21W & 16D.

Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Paulo RETRE, 9. Hideki ISHIGE, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 19. Sam SUTTON, 23. Luke SUPYK, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 35. Dublin BOON (gk), 39. Jayden SMITH, 41. Nathan WALKER, 46. Lachlan CANDY.
Unavailable: 11. Stefan COLAKOVSKI (injured), 12. Chico GERALDES (injured), 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk) (injured).

Brisbane Roar squad (two to be omitted): 1. Macklin FREKE (gk), 6. Austin LUDWIK, 8. Walid SHOUR, 10. Florin BERENGUER, 11. Asumah ABUBAKAR, 12. Lucas HERRINGTON, 13. Henry HORE, 15. Hosine BIILITY, 17. Nathan AMANATIDIS, 18. Jacob BRAZETE, 19. Jack HINGERT, 21. Antonee BURKE-GILROY, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 24. Sam KLEIN, 26. Jay O’SHEA (c), 27. Ben HALLORAN, 29. Matt ACTON (gk), 35. Louis ZABALA, 43. Adam ZIMARINO, 47. James DURRINGTON.
Unavailable: 3. Corey BROWN (injured), 4. Ben WARLAND (injured).

The post Isuzu UTE A-League Round 28 Match Preview appeared first on Wellington Phoenix.

The Wellington Phoenix have recommitted to Giancarlo Italiano as the men’s head coach.

The Phoenix and Italiano have put pen to paper on a new contract for the 2025-26 Isuzu UTE A-League, with an option for a further season.

Italiano, or Chief as he’s more commonly known, has been in the role for the past two seasons, having served under Ufuk Talay for the preceding four years.

Despite the men’s disappointing 2024-25 campaign, he still boasts the best winning percentage of any Phoenix head coach having overseen the club’s most successful season 12 months ago when the Nix narrowly missed out on the Premiers’ Plate and a place in the A-League grand final.

Director of football Shaun Gill says Italiano has earned a contract extension.

“It seems a lot of people in the sporting world have short memories,” Gill said. “I understand the frustration and disappointment with how the men’s season has unfolded, but Chief has built up a lot of credit.

“He not only guided the men to within touching distance of the club’s first trophy last year, but Chief was also an integral member of the staff during the preceding four seasons when they were finals regulars despite spending the best part of two years in Australia.

“We have faith that he will be able to help turn around the team’s fortunes next season and have the Phoenix back in the top six challenging for silverware.”

Giancarlo Italiano is “very happy” to have re-signed with the Phoenix.

“We’ve achieved a lot over the last two years and I’m looking forward to bringing the club back up to where it belongs,” Italiano said.

“I’m forever indebted to Wellington. The club gave me my first coaching job in the A-League, and I want to leave this club in a good place.

“I want to win the A-League. It’s always been the goal and why strive for anything else?

“I’m more assured now after what’s happened this season that I can steer the club to where it needs to be and we can make a tilt for the title.

“Despite all of the setbacks this season it hasn’t been all doom and gloom and I think there’s enough there to show that we can definitely move the club forward.”

And Italiano believes he’s a better coach for what the team has gone through this campaign.

“I’ve learnt how to manage players and their expectations on the back of such a successful season, and how to look after a young group when a lot of pressure has been placed on them unnecessarily.

“And overall, I’ve learnt how to navigate through so many different issues this year with injuries, player availability and expectation and how you balance all of that.

“I feel like I’m one year better for it and the experience has put me in a better spot.”

Discussions are continuing with the rest of the men’s first team coaching staff and further announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

The post ‘Italiano In’ – Chief to stay on as head coach appeared first on Wellington Phoenix.

Another weekend in the books for the Wellington Phoenix academy. 

A truncated set of matches, due to Easter weekend, saw the men’s reserves maintain their perfect record in the Dettol Central League. 

Luke Flowerdew’s second-half winner secured a 1-0 win over Miramar Rangers to stay top of the competition. 

In the Capital Premier division, the U18 men lost 3-2 to Miramar, with Riley Allison and Mac Munro’s goals not enough to prevent a defeat. 

This weekend, the men’s reserves and women’s U18 side both host Petone FC.

The women’s reserves also get their season underway against Waterside Karori in the U15 Capital Development League. 

The U16 boys face Seatoun AFC reserves, while the U15 boys play Petone away. 

Cover photo credit: AW Media

The post Academy Roundup – Week 4 appeared first on Wellington Phoenix.

Wellington Phoenix captain Annalie Longo has announced her retirement from professional football, ending her decorated club career.

The 138-cap Football Fern has made the sudden call after the Phoenix women’s final round match against Western United at Porirua Park.

In typically selfless fashion, she kept the news close to her chest.

“I haven’t really told anybody,” Longo said post-match. “I didn’t want today to be about me.

“I’m pretty emotional. I got subbed off and then the girls scored a goal so clearly they don’t need me!

“I’ve said right from the start that I just wanted to give absolutely everything in the Phoenix jersey, and I think I’ve done that.

“Never guarantee what the future holds but it’s my last game of professional football.

“I love the game, I’m so passionate about it so it’s sad to leave what you’re doing, but for me it’s the right time.

“I gave it absolutely everything and had a really good so I can be very proud to walk away.”

Longo bows out at the top of her game. She led the A-League in chances created heading into the final round and finished atop the team’s assists tally with five, while also scoring three goals in 22 appearances.

“I think I always wanted to walk away from the game in a really good place.

“I’ve worked hard to get that back into the Ferns environment and create a solid foundation of players, and it’s exactly the same here at the Wellington Phoenix.

“I never wanted to be one of those players that hangs on and like passes it on to the next group of players. [I’ve tried to] leave a good legacy and leave it as best as I can.

“I’ve given it absolutely everything to the game and I’m excited for the future and what that brings.

“I still love football and I’m passionate about the game so I’m sure I’ll continue to give back to the game but it’s time for a new generation to come through and shine.”

Head coach Paul Temple has congratulated Longo on “an incredible career”.

“She’s been amazing to work with and we’ve had a really good collaboration, coach and captain, the last two years,” Temple said.

“I genuinely think she’s a shout to be the best player in the league.

“She’s been amazing this season and really showed her qualities.

“She’s an amazing footballer. We don’t really produce footballers that have that ability to escape pressure like she does.

“She’s smart and tactically very astute as well, and she’s learning to become a coach. We have lots of good conversations about the game and she’s just a pleasure to work with.

“She’s an amazing leader as well. The girls just love her [and] respect her. She’s a true great and she’ll go down a legend.”

Annalie Longo has yet to make a decision on her international future.

The post Longo bids emotional farewell appeared first on Wellington Phoenix.

The end of an era for the Wellington Phoenix in the Ninja A-League.

The Phoenix have drawn 1-1 with Western United in their final round match at Porirua Park which doubled as the farewell for head coach Paul Temple and captain Annalie Longo.

The club announced on Thursday that Temple wouldn’t be returning for a third season, while Longo announced her immediate retirement from professional football after the match.

Emma Main secured the Nix a share of the spoils with an 80^th minute equaliser, five minutes after Western had snatched the lead.

“I really enjoyed the last 25 minutes,” Temple told media post-match. “I thought that was more of what we’re about.

“It was like blood and thunder. There were tackles flying in, we were flying forward on the break, created chances and scored the goal that I felt we deserved.

“After conceding we didn’t just drop. We stayed in the game and clawed ourselves back out which I thought was really good character, and we finished strong.”

Temple walked on to the pitch with his two daughters and was warmly greeted by the Yellow Fever.

“It was lovely to be able to do that.

“We moved here from Auckland nine and a half years ago so it’s them as well as me you know.”

And he believes he’s leaving the Phoenix in a better place than when he arrived at the club.

“Whoever comes in next can just add layers and the foundations are there to go on and keep getting better.

“I wish the club all the best. I’ve loved being here at the club. It’s been an awesome nine and a half years and I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”

Paul Temple made one change to the XI which started last week’s 1-0 defeat to Canberra United with American defender Alivia Kelly replacing young midfielder Daisy Brazendale, who was named amongst the substitutes.

Kelly made an important early intervention, making a goal-line clearance in the seventh minute after Western midfielder Isabel Dehakiz had struck the left-hand post from close-range.

Annalie Longo had the first shot of the match three minutes beforehand but it was mishit straight at Alyssa Dall’Oste in Western’s goal.

The Nix defended well to snuff out a few attacks from the visitors and Dall’Oste was the next ‘keeper called into action in the 19^th minute when Emma Main let fire from distance after winning possession high up the park. Dall’Oste was able to make the save with her legs and Western scrambled clear.

Western found the back of the net shortly after the half hour mark through their captain Chloe Berryhill, but it was ruled out for offside.

Carolina Vilão made a couple of regulation saves shortly before halftime, but was otherwise untested in Wellington’s goal in the first half.

Temple made an attacking change at the break, bringing on Japanese forward Mebae Tanaka in place of Kelly, with Manaia Elliott moving into her position at right back.

Elliott produced a crucial covering challenge early in the second half to snuff out a Western opportunity.

Soon after the hour mark she made a clever run into the opposition box and earned the Phoenix a corner.

Tanaka whipped in a peach of a cross to the back post following the corner and Mackenzie Barry headed it back across the goal and it just evaded an oncoming Grace Jale.

Alyssa Whinham and Daisy Brazendale entered the game soon after in place of Olivia Fergusson and Maya McCutcheon, who had recently been yellow carded.

Western broke the deadlock with a quarter of an hour remaining when Sara Eggesvik found the top right-hand corner of Wellington’s goal with a thumping header from a corner.

The goal sparked the Phoenix to life and Emma Main drew them level five minutes later with a great striker’s finish from a few yards out to divert a pinpoint cross from Elliott into the back of the net.

It came moments after Longo was substituted after what was her final match of professional football.

She embraced a number of teammates and Paul Temple as she made her way off the pitch.

There was another emotional moment soon after Main’s goal with Vilão replaced in goal by 17-year-old Brooke Neary for her A-League debut.

It was end-to-end for the remainder of the 90 minutes and time added on.

Barry rattled the crossbar after Dall’Oste spilled an Elliott cross, but the referee awarded Western a free kick for a foul on the goalkeeper.

The visitors struck the crossbar in the first minute of stoppage time from a well-hit free kick from Adriana Taranto, but otherwise were unable to test Neary in Wellington’s goal.

The Nix continued to push for a match-winner in time added on and Whinham came closest to securing all three points for the hosts when she unleashed a powerful effort from outside the box with three of the eighth additional minutes remaining. Unfortunately for the Phoenix and Whinham, Dall’Oste managed to get her fingertips to the shot to push it over the crossbar.

Whinham attempted to slip Main through on goal with just seconds remaining but their timing was a bit off and the assistant referee flagged for offside.

The referee blew the final whistle soon after, bringing an end to Wellington Phoenix’s 2024-25 season.

Wellington Phoenix: 39. Carolina VILÃO (gk) (13. Brooke NEARY (gk) 85^th), 3. Tiana JABER, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Alivia KELLY (14. Mebae TANAKA  46^th), 6. Maya MCCUTCHEON (15. Daisy BRAZENDALE 65^th), 7. Grace JALE, 9. Olivia FERGUSSON (10. Alyssa WHINHAM 65^th), 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 16. Annalie LONGO (c) (19. Liv INGHAM 79^th), 20. Emma MAIN, 21. Lara WALL.

Western United: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 4. Claudia MIHOCIC, 6. Chloe BERRYHILL (c) (5. Aimee MEDWIN 46^th 20. Keiwa HIEDA 89^th)), 8. Sasha GROVE, 9. Sara EGGESVIK (11. Sandra IBARGUEN 78^th), 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO (7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO 69^th), 18. Grace MAHER, 24. Julia SARDO, 28. Isabel DEHAKIZ, 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN.
Unused substitutes: 36. Chloe LINCOLN (gk).

Goals:
9. Sara EGGESVIK (Western United) – 75^th
20. Emma MAIN (Wellington Phoenix) – 80^th

Cards:
16. Melissa TARANTO (Western United) – yellow – 63^rd
6. Maya MCCUTCHEON (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 63^rd
3. Tiana JABER (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 70^th

The post Ninja A-League Round 23 Match Review appeared first on Wellington Phoenix.

Wellington Phoenix head coach Paul Temple wants to leave the club on a high.

Temple will end his near 10-year association with the Phoenix after the women’s final round Ninja A-League match against Western United at Porirua Park on Easter Sunday.

It will be his 45^th and last game in charge of the team, having signed on as head coach after the 2022-23 season following seven and a half years at the club’s academy, primarily as the technical director.

“I want to go out with a bang,” Temple told media on Thursday. “It’d be lovely to win, play some great football, score some goals and be able to celebrate at the end.”

In his two seasons he took the women from wooden spooners, who won just five matches in their first two campaigns, to top six contenders.

But ultimately Temple has been unable to guide Wellington to the finals.

The Nix finished eighth in his first season and the team entered the final round of the 2024-25 A-League in ninth place, seven points adrift of the top six.

He would have liked to have stayed on, but understands the club’s decision not to offer him a new contract.

“I’ve been here for nearly 10 years. It’s been a huge part of my life [and] my family’s life.

“We relocated to Wellington, and I’ve loved being here and I’ve loved working for the football club.

“But I also know that it’s the nature of first team football that it’s results driven and ultimately we haven’t been getting the results that we perhaps should of and are capable of.

“It’s my responsibility. We’ve come up short and I have to be responsible for it.”

Temple expects the players will play with greater freedom on Easter Sunday with the finals out of reach.

“I just want to see them be themselves, what we’ve built for the last two years in terms of playing style.

“I said to them this morning that I think the pressure of the last probably six must-win games has maybe restricted us a little bit and we haven’t played with the same fluidity that we’ve been known for in the previous season and a half.

“For me it’s about getting back to that, playing that style of football, enjoying the ball and attacking.

“We’ve got the ability to take the pressure off ourselves and enjoy the game.”

Paul Temple is looking forward to playing in front of the Yellow Fever at Porirua Park one more time.

The team has a proud record at the ground, having won 11 of their 18 matches.

“It’s been fantastic the last two seasons.

“I really look forward to every game at Porirua Park; the atmosphere that’s generated, the closeness of the fans and I’ve got some great memories of games there.

“It’s pretty amazing that we can all be together on the last day, family can be there and we can play at home.

“I know there will be a bit of a mixture of feelings. There will be some frustration, there will be some disappointment that we haven’t made it, but hopefully the overriding feeling is more of joy and we can celebrate what has been done.”

Temple has a settled squad to pick from with only long-term absentees Ella McCann, Aimee Danieli and Rebecca Lake unavailable for selection.

The final round Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Western United is scheduled to kick-off at Porirua Park in Wellington at 4pm Sunday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 2 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ and 10 Play in Australia.

Most recent meeting: 1 November 2024 – Western United 4 Wellington Phoenix 2

All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 1W, Western 4W, 0D

Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 2. Zoe MCMEEKEN, 3. Tiana JABER, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Alivia KELLY, 6. Maya MCCUTCHEON, 7. Grace JALE, 8. Amelia ABBOTT, 9. Olivia FERGUSSON, 10. Alyssa WHINHAM, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 13. Brooke NEARY (gk), 14. Mebae TANAKA, 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE, 16. Annalie LONGO (c), 19. Liv INGHAM, 20. Emma MAIN, 21. Lara WALL, 39. Carolina VILÃO (gk).
Unavailable: 18. Ella MCCANN (injured), 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk) (injured), 23. Rebecca LAKE (injured).

Western United squad (two to be omitted): 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 4. Claudia MIHOCIC, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Chloe BERRYHILL (c), 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 8. Sasha GROVE, 9. Sara EGGESVIK, 11. Sandra IBARGUEN, 13. Avaani PRAKASH, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO, 28. Isabel DEHAKIZ, 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN, 36. Chloe LINCOLN (gk).
Unavailable: Nil.

Main image: Paul Temple is all smiles ahead of a match at Porirua Park. Photo: Cam McIntosh/Photomac.

The post Ninja A-League Round 23 Match Preview appeared first on Wellington Phoenix.

The Wellington Phoenix have come out on the wrong side of a five-goal scoreline for the second time in seven days.

Adelaide United have scored an 89^th minute goal to beat the Phoenix 3-2 at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide.

The Nix had fought back from 2-0 down to be level at halftime, courtesy of goals from Kosta Barbarouses and Isaac Hughes.

Wellington looked more likely to take the lead early in the second half and appeared set to claim at least a share of the spoils before the Reds snatched all three points at the death.

Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano was frustrated with how the team started and finished the match.

“Just disappointed that we gifted two early goals,” Italiano told media post-match. “I felt as though we were slow to start. I don’t think we showed any energy at the beginning.

“Second goal I was very disappointed with. We had so many opportunities to get rid of the ball and structurally we were just all over the shop.

“We knuckled down after 20/25…and then we scored…and then all of a sudden we sprung into life.

“Halftime we addressed a couple of issues, and I actually felt second half we were quite good.

“We curbed a lot of their threats and I never felt for a moment that they were going to score, and then obviously we conceded.

“I felt as though that was a soft goal as well. Structurally we were a little bit out. We had a couple of players pressing when they shouldn’t have and we got exposed.”

Giancarlo Italiano made one change to the XI which started last Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Melbourne Victory with versatile defender Lukas Kelly-Heald replacing midfielder Kazuki Nagasawa, who moved to the bench. Young striker Luke Supyk also returned to the substitutes in place of injured midfielder Paulo Retre.

The Phoenix made a sluggish start and found themselves two goals down inside quarter of an hour.

Centre back Panagiotis Kikianis headed home Adelaide’s first corner of the match in the eighth minute to put the Reds in front before midfielder Stefan Mauk nodded in a cross from close-range a few minutes later.

The Nix could have trailed by more.

Josh Oluwayemi ensured they didn’t concede a third in the 16^th minute when he made a great save to deny Dylan Pierias, who unleashed a stinging shot after dribbling his way into the Wellington box.

And Mauk was denied by the right-hand post soon after when Adelaide again sliced through the Phoenix defence.

The Nix made their first promising attack in the 26^th minute when Alex Rufer dinked a pass over the top for Kosta Barbarouses, who drew a sharp save from Adelaide goalkeeper Max Vartuli. But Barbarouses was flagged for offside.

He pulled a goal back for Wellington shortly after the half hour mark when Japanese forward Hideki Ishige showed great strength to win possession from Reds captain Ryan Kitto and then slid a perfectly weighted ball through for Barbarouses, who slipped in between two Adelaide defenders and slotted past Vartuli.

It was the veteran All Whites forward’s 10^th goal of the season and Ishige’s eighth assist.

Despite all of Adelaide’s dominance in the first 20 minutes, the Phoenix were level 10 minutes before halftime. Isaac Hughes headed home from close range after fellow centre back Scott Wootton nodded a diagonal ball from Sam Sutton back across goal.

There were no further goalscoring opportunities for either side before the interval although there was an all-in melee after a coming together between Mauk and Nix fullback Tim Payne, which saw both players yellow carded.

Wellington carried on the positive momentum after halftime and had the first chances of the second half.

Payne delivered a threatening ball across the six-yard box in the 49^th minute but Adelaide were able to scramble clear. Wootton headed the resulting corner of the bar.

Kikianis cleared a shot off the line soon after when Barbarouses chipped a shot over Vartuli and the Reds defender blocked a shot from Lukas Kelly-Heald moments later.

Kosta Barbarouses then tried to emulate his long distance goal against Newcastle Jets earlier in the season when he won possession inside the Phoenix half, saw Vartuli off his line and then unleashed a shot from halfway. Unfortunately for Barbarouses, this time his effort drifted wide to the right.

The Nix also restricted opportunities down the other end of the pitch.

Adelaide had their first shot of the second half shortly after the hour mark but Wootton was able to block Ethan Alagich’s effort.

Oluwayemi was unemployed while his opposite Max Vartuli made a sharp save to keep out a toed shot from Corban Piper in the 67^th minute. Rufer shot well over the bar following the ensuing corner.

The Reds looked the more likely to score a match-winner in the final quarter of an hour.

Hughes produced an incredible clearing header from his own goal-line in the 77^th minute to prevent Adelaide scoring directly from a left-wing corner and Oluwayemi kept out a stinging free-kick from Reds substitute Jonny Yull seven minutes later.

The Phoenix’s resistance came to an end in the 89^th minute when Archie Goodwin tapped home from a couple of yards out after Pierias’ shot-come-cross fortunately landed at Goodwin’s feet after being saved by Oluwayemi.

Adelaide saw out the remaining time to claim a crucial three points in their hunt for a finals place, while it consigned the Nix to successive defeats.

The Wellington Phoenix will return home tomorrow before heading back across the Tasman next week to play Brisbane Roar in their penultimate match of the season.

Wellington Phoenix: 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 9. Hideki ISHIGE (25. Kazuki NAGASAWA 83^rd), 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES (41. Nathan WALKER 90+3), 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD (29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH 79^th), 19. Sam SUTTON, 27. Matthew SHERIDAN (23. Luke SUPYK 90+3).
Unused substitutes: 35. Dublin BOON (gk), 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 39. Jayden SMITH.

Adelaide United: 13. Max VARTULI (gk),3. Bart VRIENDS, 6. Stefan MAUK, 7. Ryan KITTO (c) (8. ISAIAS 79^th), 10. Zach CLOUGH (12. Jonny YULL 68^th), 14. Jay BARNETT (9. Luka JOVANOVIC 87^th), 19. Yaya DUKULY (17. Ben FOLAMI 79^th), 20. Dylan PIERIAS, 26. Archie GOODWIN, 51. Panagiotis KIKIANIS, 55. Ethan ALAGICH.
Unused substitutes: 1. James DELIANOV (gk), 21. Javi LOPEZ, 44. Ryan WHITE.

Goals:
51. Panagiotis KIKIANIS (Adelaide United) – 8^th
6. Stefan MAUK (Adelaide United) – 12^th
7. Kosta BARBAROUSES (Wellington Phoenix) – 31^st
15. Isaac HUGHES (Wellington Phoenix) – 35^th
26. Archie GOODWIN (Adelaide United) – 89^th

Cards:
6. Tim PAYNE (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 44^th
6. Stefan MAUK (Adelaide United) – yellow – 44^th
51. Panagiotis KIKIANIS (Adelaide United) – yellow – 52^nd
29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 85^th

The post Isuzu UTE A-League Round 27 Match Review appeared first on Wellington Phoenix.

Wellington Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano is eagerly awaiting the men’s return to Adelaide despite the club’s unenviable record in the city.

The Phoenix are playing Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Good Friday in round 27 of the Isuzu UTE A-League.

The Nix have won just four of their previous 26 matches in South Australia, the last of which was in December 2019 early in Italiano’s first season with the club.

The team travelled to Adelaide on Wednesday and trained in the city on Thursday.

“I love coming here and playing at the stadium,” Italiano told media via zoom. “I get a buzz.

“I think it’s probably the best football stadium set-up. When it’s full the place is buzzing. Great pitch as well.”

He believes the long journey from Wellington to Adelaide and the crowd at Coopers Stadium are what has made this fixture so difficult for the Phoenix.

“Obviously it’s Good Friday, so there’s going to be a large crowd.

“They get a buzz from the crowd and they can be quite vocal.

“Also, it’s the travel. We were on two flights yesterday and it takes a bit of time to recover.

“Sometimes it’s hard to get into the game. The couple of games that we’ve won, or that I remember, we’ve won late.

“We were 1-nil down…a think it was six years ago and we scored two late goals. It takes a bit of time for us to acclimatise. It’s a tough trip.”

Despite Wellington’s 3-2 defeat to Melbourne Victory, the Nix enter the Good Friday meeting in better form than the Reds.

Adelaide United are winless in their last eight matches and have lost their last four, most recently a 4-1 defeat at Perth Glory.

“I know they’ve had a couple of inconsistent results of late, but they’re still going to be very hard to play.

“They have a lot of good attacking options. They’re a dangerous team [and a] good transitional team.

“I think their strength is also their biggest weakness because when they throw numbers forward they can be transitioned as well.

“You saw Perth cause a lot of problems for them last week, but again at home they’re very hard to play.

“I’ve been there many times and I think I’ve only come out once or twice with a result.”

The Phoenix have three matches remaining in the 2024-25 A-League season and are driven to finish outside the bottom four, who will contest the Australia Cup playoffs in Darwin next month.

“Our goal still is to win the last three games.

“We think it’s very achievable and we want to also put on a good football show, build a little bit more consistency than what we did last week and have a better defensive display as well.

“Again, we take it game by game, try to win every game and try to maximise everything.

“Winning the last three games also is a matter of pride for the boys as a group.

“They want to finish the season as a high and winning three games in a row if we do go to Darwin gives us good momentum as well.”

Giancarlo Italiano has made one change to his travelling squad with Paulo Retre not able to make the trip after straining his hamstring moments before scoring the Nix’s second goal against Victory on Saturday.

Lachlan Candy, who started for the Phoenix reserves last weekend, has been promoted to the touring party in Retre’s place.

“We decided not to risk Paulo for this week.

“Just give him a week of recuperation and then back in the squad for next week.”

The round 27 Isuzu UTE A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United is scheduled to kick-off at Coopers Stadium at 9:35pm (7:05pm ACST) Friday and will be broadcast free-to-air in New Zealand on Sky Open and LIVE on Sky Sport 3 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ in Australia.

Most recent meeting: 14 February 2025 – Melbourne Victory 1 Wellington Phoenix 0

All-time A-League head-to-head: Phoenix 12W, Adelaide 23W & 15D.

Wellington Phoenix squad (one to be omitted): 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk),3. Corban PIPER, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 9. Hideki ISHIGE, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 19. Sam SUTTON, 23. Luke SUPYK, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 35. Dublin BOON (gk), 39. Jayden SMITH, 41. Nathan WALKER, 46. Lachlan CANDY.
Unavailable: 11. Stefan COLAKOVSKI (injured), 12. Chico GERALDES (injured), 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk) (injured).

Adelaide United squad (two to be omitted): 1. James DELIANOV (gk), 3. Bart VRIENDS, 4. Jordan ELSEY, 6. Stefan MAUK, 7. Ryan KITTO (c), 8. ISAÍAS, 9. Luka JOVANOVIĆ, 10. Zach CLOUGH, 12. Jonny YULL, 13. Max VARTULI (gk), 14. Jay BARNETT, 17. Ben FOLAMI, 19. Yaya DUKULY, 20. Dylan PIERIAS, 21. Javi LÓPEZ, 26. Archie GOODWIN, 42. Austin AYOUBI, 44. Ryan WHITE, 51. Panagiotis KIKIANIS, 55. Ethan ALAGICH.
Unavailable: 36. Panashe MADANHA (injured), 54. Bailey O’NEIL (injured).

Main image: Cam McIntosh/Photomac.

The post Isuzu UTE A-League Round 27 Match Preview appeared first on Wellington Phoenix.

Paul Temple is leaving the Wellington Phoenix after a near decade-long association with the club.

Temple hasn’t been offered a new contract to continue coaching the women’s first team and will part ways after their final round Ninja A-League match against Western United at Porirua Park on Easter Sunday.

He has been in the role for the past two seasons, having initially joined the Phoenix at the start of 2016 as a youth team coach before taking over as the technical director of the club’s academy.

Temple took the Nix women from wooden spooners, who won just five matches in their first two campaigns, to top six contenders.

But he was unable to guide Wellington to the finals.

“It’s obviously really sad for me to be leaving the Phoenix after so long at the club,” Temple said. “But ultimately first team football is a results business, I’ve always had that clarity, and we haven’t reached the targets we set ourselves.

“I can honestly say I’ve given absolutely everything to this project the past two seasons, and the players have too.

“I’ve really enjoyed coaching this group and working with the staff.  We had a shared mission. I was determined to create some history with the team and for the club.

“But it’s the right time to move on.

“I’ve got nothing but gratitude to the club. I feel privileged to have worked alongside so many amazing people and I’ve absolutely loved my time at the Phoenix. 

“I’m leaving with so many great memories and I’m just grateful for all the opportunities and experiences. I’m a better coach now than I was before because of it.

“I’ve always believed that as a coach you’re just the custodian of the team and when you pick it up, you should try to leave it in a better place. I believe I’ve done that.”

Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill has thanked Paul Temple for his contribution to the club.

“Temps has left an indelible mark on the Phoenix,” Gill said.

“He helped transform the academy in the seven plus years he was there and had a hand in developing a number of New Zealand’s top young footballers, both men and women.

“Temps has also taken our women’s programme to a new level in the past two years.

“Under his guidance the team has become much more competitive and has played a more exciting brand of football.

“He has left a lasting legacy and we wish Temps all the best for the next step in his coaching career.”

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Another perfect weekend for the Wellington Phoenix academy, with all four sides in action enjoying victories. 

The Phoenix men’s reserves made it three wins from three in the Dettol Central League, triumphing 2-0 over Napier City Rovers. 

Daniel Makowem’s powerful half-volley got the Nix off to a flier before Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues saw his shot slip through the Napier ‘keeper’s fingers early in the second half. 

The U-18 women’s Nix side also kept their place at the top of the Central League, hammering Taradale AFC 7-1.

Katie Pugh, Isabella Temple, and Kya Solomon gave the Phoenix a commanding lead at halftime. In the second stanza, Grace Barlett’s brace, plus goals from Holly Robins and captain Mackenzie Bryant ensured another big win. 

In the Capital Premier division, the U-18 men’s side went one better, beating Western Suburbs 7-0. 

A hattrick for Jack Perniskie was the highlight, while Alessandro Marchesse’s double, Fletcher Pratt’s strike and an own goal completed the damage. 

Finally, the U-16 boys team claimed a dramatic win over Stokes Valley, Ben Trenberth’s last minute penalty securing a 3-2 victory. 

Earlier, Harry Grosso and Grayson Lunman had scored to put the Nix ahead at halftime before the late drama. 

This weekend, both the men’s reserves and the U-18 mens travel to Miramar Rangers.

The U-18 women and U-16 boys have a bye. 

Cover photo credit: AW Media

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