It really would be quite helpful for the Sky Stadium game management staff to recognise that those arriving to the their seats within 10-15 mins of kick off, do have more than a passing interest in knowing the two team’s line-ups.
We were a couple of the 2,500 at the Stadium. We used the width well and had good pace there. A bit of a struggle connecting from there to Speckmaier in the middle but created enough that we might have pinched the game. Subs added. Defence was pretty solid almost to the point of comfortable, mostly. Started to show a bit of leg weariness there at the end. Overall it was an entertaining watch and a good contest, though City had the better of possession and territory we were often quick on the break. Plenty of skill, good press. Not as fast or powerful as the men but plenty of nice inter passing. A few short passes and wrong decisions, but a big step above last year and still pushing for the draw at the end.
It really would be quite helpful for the Sky Stadium game management staff to recognise that those arriving to the their seats within 10-15 mins of kick off, do have more than a passing interest in knowing the two team’s line-ups.
We arrived a bit late so used the signs with QR code for the match day program. It didn't have starters and subs, bit did have all the 'Nix squad with numbers. But I agree, if they didn't announce the players they should be.
Not totally sold on Taylor at CDM. She put in a huge shift and threw herself around well, but her short passing wasn't great. She could well grow into that position as the season goes on, but its the only position I feel we are a bit thin. Longo would have likely added a bit of composure in that midfield area, where I felt our inexperience let us down a bit. Got out pressed and then out muscled off the second ball too often. They just didn't allow us any room. But then they are a quality ALW team. And that was our first real hit out Got to somehow fit Longo and Wisnewski into the starting XI I think. Next week will be a better indicator on how competitive this team will likely be. Away to WSW.
They do announce the team line ups. Unfortunately it is almost always a long time before most people turn up. Frankly I don’t know why it appears to be so hard to do it as the teams enter the field or just before kick off. Nothing would be lost by turning off the loud music for a minute or so.mjp2
Alf Tupper
It really would be quite helpful for the Sky Stadium game management staff to recognise that those arriving to the their seats within 10-15 mins of kick off, do have more than a passing interest in knowing the two team’s line-ups.
We arrived a bit late so used the signs with QR code for the match day program. It didn't have starters and subs, bit did have all the 'Nix squad with numbers. But I agree, if they didn't announce the players they should be.
Interesting 4-2-3-1 formation. Quite an interesting idea. Remember this was City they were up against. I thought they did quite well except for the passing the ball away from days of old. Stop that they are going to do well. The Right back wasn't watching her player as well as she should but Elliott looked fairly solid at LB.
I had a great day, and we had a good start, but ultimately that was pretty disappointing from the Phoenix.
First half we looked really great through midfield at times, the let down coming with our final box delivery which let us down at least 4 times when we could have scored.
Another criticism in that half was we took the backwards option too often when we could have been positive and made something happen. We put ourselves under too much pressure several times.
Second half, well things deteriorated, and I our subs didnt help a bit. Elliott was a breath of fresh air in the first half, was disappointed to see her off at half time. Emma Main shows lots of early promise up top alone, but disappeared from the game when moved wide in the second half.
Ultimately, the midfield didnt work IMHO, played 4-5-1 but were unable to get adequate possession. Having 5 in in midfield seemed to restrict the options of full backs Davidson and Foster to get forward, and left us with one isolated striker. Things were worse after Knott went off.
Defence was pretty sound, Barry, Van Der Meer and Foster did little wrong, as did the keeper before she unfortunately coughed up the only goal of the game.
Still, it was the first game, awful wind for both sides. I hoped we would have done better than this though. And bloody Wilkinson score the winner.
Couple of good chances but the final Touch wasn’t there today, still thought they played well, lot of positives signs in this team, should do well this season
It really would be quite helpful for the Sky Stadium game management staff to recognise that those arriving to the their seats within 10-15 mins of kick off, do have more than a passing interest in knowing the two team’s line-ups.
The gates didn't open until at least 2.30,the queue was at least 60m long when I joined it, and I was still one of the first to take my seat,and the junior parade was already underway. I never heard the teams announced,so I doubt very many people did.
I did get to hear the appalling phoenix "song" though, words fail me on that one!
Is it just me or does anybody else find Kirsty Yallop sleep inducing? Not knocking anything she is saying, just the way she speaks, monotonous and devoid of excitement.
So much this, and she also feels the need to speak everytime Dewhurst took a break, she's not in a co-commentary role. I thought she was awful and if this is what the season holds, then it's going to be a tough watch... I always wonder if ex-players get interviewed for a role, do some training, role plays etc or are just thrown in the deep end. I have the niggle with cricket commentary, Sky (and Spark) appear to think that if you've played before therefore you can become a commentator or comments person. No thought seems to go into what the person actually sounds like...
The women werent dominated, but it wasnt exactly pretty footy either - the wind probably didnt help. The continuation of passes going to the opposition was annoying and certainly hurt our attack, we looked good in patches and defended well enough, their goal was a touch lucky, a good save that was parried to the feet of Wilkensen, if it had gone another direction the game ends a draw. I thought we looked better than last year, and the substiutiions imporvde things. Knott was aweful, the imports were better than the women they replaced - they will make a big difference this year. Temple needs to work hard on passing to our own team.
How do we all feel about the shocking turnout? It is surely an almighty failure by the Nix to take advantage of the interest in the World Cup.
Did the ferns shoot the Nix in the head with that performance against the Philippines?
I thought 2000+ for the game was pretty good. Especially considering the weather/wind. That was about on par with the crowd at Adelaide and twice as many as Perth. That many fans at Jerry Collins stadium will make a pretty good atmosphere will it not?
Jerry Collins capacity is 1900. I was wondering if that's an issue or not. Looking at the porirua council, they say the stadium is ~2000 seats. https://poriruacity.govt.nz/discover-porirua/parks-and-reserves/our-parks-and-reserves/
How do we all feel about the shocking turnout? It is surely an almighty failure by the Nix to take advantage of the interest in the World Cup.
Did the ferns shoot the Nix in the head with that performance against the Philippines?
I thought 2000+ for the game was pretty good. Especially considering the weather/wind. That was about on par with the crowd at Adelaide and twice as many as Perth. That many fans at Jerry Collins stadium will make a pretty good atmosphere will it not?
Yipe 2 big ALW crowds for Sydney derby & F3 derby. But then sounds like the other crowds in Aussie were pretty similar to what the Nix got at Sky.
Remaining Welly games mostly at Jerry Collins Stadium looks even more the right decision. At the end of the day the Matildas stars of the WWC (Vine an exception) don't play in the ALW.
On Saturday, the 2023-24 campaign opened with a fiery F3 derby between Central Coast and Newcastle featuring two red cards, which attracted a crowd of 5,735 – a regular season record that stood for just a few hours until 11,471 attended the Sydney derby at Allianz Stadium later in the day.
That figure set a new record for a domestic women’s football match, surpassing the 9,519 who watched Sydney FC’s 4-0 win over Western United in last season’s grand final at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.
The first two games alone broke the record for any round in the history of the league – 15,955 – which had stood for nine years.
Saturday’s late kick-off between Perth Glory and Western United in Perth took the figure even further beyond the previous benchmark, before Sunday’s games between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City at Sky Stadium, Adelaide United and Canberra United at Coopers Stadium and Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar at the home of the Matildas added a further 7,927 to the round total.
Longo has to come in for Taylor. I think Longo is aging a bit but if she sits in front of back 4 we may get past this season with her.
Pray for better conditions in the coming weeks so we can work out if we are actually any good or not.
I'm going to give this keeper another game or two but we may have to go to market asap.
Why do nz girls always look so happy after losing? the aussies are always fuming. It's culture i know but not sure how succesful ours is. Don't think temple is the kind of guy to change it either. I'm sure they care....maybe. Don't want a repeat of the Lawrence era.
The Aussie teams don't look as strong this year. Managed to watch most games in full. If we get our team sorted we have a definite playoff chance.
Longo has to come in for Taylor. I think Longo is aging a bit but if she sits in front of back 4 we may get past this season with her.
Pray for better conditions in the coming weeks so we can work out if we are actually any good or not.
I'm going to give this keeper another game or two but we may have to go to market asap.
Why do nz girls always look so happy after losing? the aussies are always fuming. It's culture i know but not sure how succesful ours is. Don't think temple is the kind of guy to change it either. I'm sure they care....maybe. Don't want a repeat of the Lawrence era.
The Aussie teams don't look as strong this year. Managed to watch most games in full. If we get our team sorted we have a definite playoff chance.
The women are probably just happy to be playing professional footy, sure it sucks to lose but at the end of the day if they feel they've played well and theya re playing the game they love why not be happy with life. It's ok ot be unhappy about the loss and not be bitter about it.
Attendance was 2505. I thought the goal keeper was excellent also. And out of the other imports was impressed with Speckmaiers pace, Breslin was pretty solid all over the park if not yet spectacular, Davidson was good going forward but went missing a bit in D, drifting inside and allowed McNamara way to much space on the flank. Not a criticism just an observation having not seen any pre season. Temple def seemed to favour a lot of the academy players for this game, Main, Elliot, Fraser,. Over the more experienced players likes of Wisnewski, Brown and Robertson. Those acadamy players will be better for the experience all getting there first ever A league start. And none of them looked out of place. Elliot was exciting on the ball and good defensively. Fraser seemed to grow into the game. Main didn't get many chances.. But Wisnewski has to get more minutes for me. I think she offers more than Knott, Fraser and even Taylor at DM, but then he also need to fit Longo in. Must also be a coin toss between Brown and Main. Brown was scoring for fun in the NPL. Was pretty good at holding the ball up high then linking up with others. Main offers different attributes with her pace and directness so good to have options. But all in all, competition for places has got to be a good thing. Looking forward to the next game already.
no way is Wisneski better than Fraser! Fraser is our best player!
Like i said i'll give the keeper another few games before making full judgement.
Big game this week away to Wanderers! They were one of the poorer teams i saw across the weekend. Our chance to kick start the season.
Wanderers were actually pretty good in the 2nd half against a strong Sydney team. Arguably the better team. They will be no easy beat. This will be a big challenge, away for our team.
Is it just me or does anybody else find Kirsty Yallop sleep inducing? Not knocking anything she is saying, just the way she speaks, monotonous and devoid of excitement.
TV commentators are woeful. They don't know when to shut up. I rarely last more than a minute before muting them. Someone should tell them it's not radio. Should have one commentator only during the game.
