WPW R13 @ Canberra | Sat 17th Jan | 7:30pm | SS1 - Fever Tua

Just realised we've ended Canberras unbeaten run of 7 games?

Procrastinixing

Just realised we've ended Canberras unbeaten run of 7 games?

Beat the table toppers and put ourselves in a very handy position if they keep their momentum up. Brilliant result and I am so happy for those that travelled over there for this weekend. Awesome result.

Such a scrappy game. So glad we won it. 
Excellent finish by Benson for the first. What a strike by Vlok for the second.
Onwards and upwards.

Ive only watched the highlight reel, but there is no doubt the second yellow card was justified.

A good 3 points, we are right in the pack now.
There is little to choose at the moment and its all to play for

yea was saying this to a friend at the last game at Porirua stadium.  if she saw more of the ball against city we may have got a better result; after they moved her up front or whatever position it was she did not get on the ball enough.  one of our best players at age 17, should be headed to europe at some point I'd assume.  hopefully she sticks around here for next season at least before she does

ballane

Vlok is going to be some player. If you get the chance go watch a Wahnix game shark does she cover some ground. Going to be very interesting to see where she goes next mich bigger and better things in the pipeline for her methinks.
Good win know to string them together.

Would love to see Benson get more time. 

Great result again! Woods looks the goods! The gap left by Samba's injury is a pretty big one but Makala does well filling it. Nunn stays a constant threat down the right again. Vlok popping up all over - great vision and finish. Benson announcing herself - congrats on that first goal! Good effort all round. Bev will be chuffed. So who's going to be at the next Porirua Park game? Hope they can stay on this growth path.

djtim3000

Procrastinixing

Where is Tiana Jaber?? Not even mentioned.


Canberra United squad: 1. Sally JAMES, 2. Alex McKENZIE, 5. Jazmin WARDLOW, 6. Josie AULICINO, 7. Emma HAWKINS, 8. Sasha GROVE, 3. Elizabeth ANTON, 10. Mary STANIC-FLOODY, 11. Emma ROBERS, 12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG, 13. Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON, 18. Coco MAJSTOROVIC, 19. Sienna DALE, 23. Michelle HEYMAN, 25. Darcey MALONE, 28. Tegan BERTOLISSIO, 32. Bethany GORDON, 33. Nanako SASAKI, 44. Ava BRIEDIS

(Two to be omitted)

Ins:

Outs:

Unavailable: Nil

Wellington Phoenix women’s squad: 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER, 7. Grace JALE, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 13. Brooke NEARY (gk), 14. Lucía LEÓN, 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE, 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 17. Ela JEREZ, 20. Emma MAIN, 21. Lara WALL, 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK, 27. Zoe BENSON, 28. Grace BARTLETT, 31. Makala WOODS, 32. Emma PIJNENBURG.

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 17. Ela JEREZ (promoted).

Outs: 2. CJ BOTT (c) (injured).

Unavailable:  2. CJ BOTT (c) (injured), 6. Tessel MIDDAG (injured), 9. Sabitra BHANDARI (injured), 10. Alyssa WHINHAM (injured), 18. Ella MCCANN (injured).

What happened to Tiana Jaber?
Edit: Just realised the same question was asked in the post I copied. Any answers though?

From Phil Rollo's match report:

"The Phoenix will be sweating on the fitness of Barry ahead of their next match, at home against Adelaide United next Sunday afternoon. Barry has started every game alongside Ellie Walker and Marisa van der Meer this season but Tiana Jaber is due back from a broken leg and looms as a ready-made replacement. Adelaide are ninth but have won three of their last four games and toppled Melbourne Victory 2-1 on Saturday. "

Interesting the young stars of late for us are the Auckland United recruits not WP academy players?

I think Nunn is a good old fashioned winger, she has delivered potential match winning balls in all games I've seen her play. 

We need to keep her wide and encourage her to get it in.

And get the hell on the end of it!

Was a great front post run from deep by Benson to get on the end the deflected cross to score our first.

LG

Great to hear the commentator giving a great shout out to the travelling faithful and acknowledging them. That suit looks awesome on TV.

Bev is on the drum! @bev_priestman @WgtnPhoenixFC @YellowFever_NZ @VicNixFans #FeverTua 🖤💛🐦‍🔥 https://t.co/n6nwBwl0Ct pic.twitter.com/j6biFompjH

— Little Corner of Yellow - Te Kāhu o ngā hau e whā (@cornerofyellow) January 17, 2026

Fenix

Ranix

Don't really have another CB on the bench.
Where is Jaber.

Against 10 we don't need one. Elliott will be all we need.  But yes, miss Jaber. Our bench is not exciting  bar Vlok.

EDIT: and Benson :)

Timely first half Edit!

Ranix

Was a great front post run from deep by Benson to get on the end the deflected cross to score our first.

Just great anticipation. First she’s gambled and made the run, and then covered ground to get the deflection. The skills of ‘tap-in merchants.’

I see from social media that Benson was Eastern Suburbs top goal scorer in 2024, Auckland United’s top goal scorer in 2025 & won the golden boot at OFC Women’s Champions League. Gotta love those stats! Keep them coming! 

My god that was a physical game.  Canberra seemed like they came out deciding they needed to foul Wood and they t9ok it ways too far.

Hopefully the goals give our young women the confidence to bang some more in for the season.

Fenix

I think Nunn is a good old fashioned winger, she has delivered potential match winning balls in all games I've seen her play. 

We need to keep her wide and encourage her to get it in.

And get the hell on the end of it!

Nunn is my favourite player. She so dynamic, full of energy and the attitude to defend and switch play into attack.
And as you said, she delivers every game ball into the box. I'm surprised she does not have more assists, but I guess that says more about our target players than Nunn.

I can’t tell if it is the camera angle or that it was a scrappy game. I got quite frustrated trying to follow the play as there seemed to be only the one camera

coochiee

Fenix

Ranix

Don't really have another CB on the bench.
Where is Jaber.

Against 10 we don't need one. Elliott will be all we need.  But yes, miss Jaber. Our bench is not exciting  bar Vlok.

EDIT: and Benson :)

Timely first half Edit!

Retrospective, lol!

Great result for phoenix against Canberra.  Made it hard for themselves at times giving possession away to easily.  However 2 great finishes.  Lovely touch by Benson for the 1st goal, to many players would have tried to control the ball first then shoot, she did both with one touch as did Vlok to score a superb goal.  Again control and shot with one touch.  Great.
 Referee had a good game and red card was justified
I'd like to see Jale get forward more often for long range shots on goal now and then.  
Nunn needs to work on her 1st touch to control and also work on her weight of pass, either to short or to long.  Overall a good display with 2 fine goals.
Referee had a good game and red card was justified.

Thought we weren't quite up to our best this game. But understandable with all the injuries/changes that we are trying to gel as a team once again.
Feel that we are really missing a natural #10. With Fraser and Whinham out. 
Leon looks like she is now playing there but I'm not sure that is her natural position. Thought she played wing-back last year for Adelaide.
Some of the girls have really stepped up though. Jale is having a terrific season. Walker is rock solid. Elliot has stepped up from last season. Great to see MvdM back to where she was at. Nunn has been awesome.
Biggest take away from the last few weeks though is this teams ability to tough it out right to the end of games, and getting results for that reason.
But wonder who Preistman will bring in to replace Samba. Whether that will be a visa or a local player. If anyone at all.
Ava Collins / Maggie Jenkins or Kiara Bercelli wouldn't be bad options if they are going to bring in a local player.