{"id":324083,"date":"2024-12-28T21:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-28T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/?p=324083"},"modified":"2024-12-28T23:43:57","modified_gmt":"2024-12-28T10:43:57","slug":"ninja-a-league-round-8-match-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/ninja-a-league-round-8-match-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Ninja A-League Round 8 Match Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Melbourne City have halted the Wellington Phoenix\u2019s four-match unbeaten run in the Ninja A-League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The competition leaders have scored two goals in two minutes midway through the second half to come from behind and beat the Phoenix 2-1 at ctrl:cyber Pitch in Melbourne.<br><br>The Nix had led 1-0 at halftime courtesy of Olivia Fergusson\u2019s maiden A-League goal and frustrated City for large periods, denying the hosts a single shot on target for the first 66 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Match Highlights - Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne City\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/O-cX-i0QuxM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Phoenix head coach Paul Temple was proud of the performance and disappointed with the result.<br><br>\u201cWe were really frustrating them and we created a number of opportunities from turnovers high up the pitch,\u201d Temple said post-match.<br><br>\u201cWe got a goal and perhaps could have had a few more if we\u2019d maybe taken our opportunity to shoot earlier, but I felt deserved to be in the lead at the break.<br><br>\u201cIt was going to plan really and just a real unfortunate moment for an own goal and then all of a sudden the whole perspective changes and all of their frustration that they were feeling goes away and the pressure\u2019s off I guess.<br><br>\u201cWe need to improve on our ability to respond to those mistakes after putting so much effort in. We got caught quickly again.<br><br>\u201cBut proud of the way we finished and the energy that we showed to really make a go of it.<br><br>\u201cI think they were pretty happy to get to the final whistle and come away with one because it was a game we deserved some points from.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"324087\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/ninja-a-league-round-8-match-review\/a-league-women-rd-8-melbourne-city-fc-v-wellington-phoenix-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191630705.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"3474,2316\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X Mark III&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Mackenzie Barry of the Phoenix  controls the ball during the round eight A-League Women&#039;s match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at City Football Academy, on December 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina\\\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1735406569&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2024 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;185&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00015625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;A-League Women Rd 8 - Melbourne City FC v Wellington Phoenix&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-League Women Rd 8 &#8211; Melbourne City FC v Wellington Phoenix\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA &#8211; DECEMBER 28: Mackenzie Barry of the Phoenix  controls the ball during the round eight A-League Women&#8217;s match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at City Football Academy, on December 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191630705.jpg?w=300\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191630705.jpg?w=1200\" height=\"800\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191630705.jpg?w=1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-324087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191630705.jpg 3474w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191630705.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191630705.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191630705.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191630705.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191630705.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA &#8211; DECEMBER 28: Mackenzie Barry of the Phoenix  controls the ball during the round eight A-League Women&#8217;s match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at City Football Academy, on December 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Temple says there are a lot of positives to take out of their first defeat since mid-November.<br><br>\u201cSome people will look at possession and some people will look at the fact we didn\u2019t have a huge amount of the ball\u2026but we were in control of that game for a large period.<br><br>\u201cAll that showed me is we can take it to the big teams. We\u2019ve shown this against Victory, we beat Sydney, and we came here and have given a really good account of ourselves.<br><br>\u201cWe\u2019ve proven to ourselves that we\u2019re capable of taking on anybody in this league and we\u2019ll give everyone a good game and be super competitive.<br><br>\u201cNobody\u2019s wanting to play us right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"324088\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/ninja-a-league-round-8-match-review\/a-league-women-rd-8-melbourne-city-fc-v-wellington-phoenix-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191629499.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"5181,3454\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X Mark III&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Wellington Phoenix \\nline up during the round eight A-League Women&#039;s match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at City Football Academy, on December 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina\\\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1735405022&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2024 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00015625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;A-League Women Rd 8 - Melbourne City FC v Wellington Phoenix&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-League Women Rd 8 &#8211; Melbourne City FC v Wellington Phoenix\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA &#8211; DECEMBER 28: Wellington Phoenix&lt;br \/&gt;\nline up during the round eight A-League Women&#8217;s match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at City Football Academy, on December 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191629499.jpg?w=300\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191629499.jpg?w=1200\" height=\"800\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191629499.jpg?w=1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-324088\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191629499.jpg 5181w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191629499.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191629499.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191629499.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191629499.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191629499.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA &#8211; DECEMBER 28: Wellington Phoenix \nline up during the round eight A-League Women&#8217;s match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at City Football Academy, on December 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Paul Temple made three changes to the XI which started last week\u2019s 2-0 win over Sydney FC, with Alivia Kelly, Alyssa Whinham and Daisy Brazendale returning in place of Zoe McMeeken, Mebae Tanaka and Emma Main, who were all named amongst the substitutes. Young \u2018keeper Aimee Danieli also returned via the bench after four weeks out with concussion.<br><br>City dominated possession from the opening whistle but had nothing to show for it.<br><br>They only registered one shot in the first 45 minutes and that was off target.<br><br>The Phoenix caused the competition leaders problems when they pressed and Alyssa Whinham had the first shot on goal in the 37<sup>th<\/sup> minute when Maya McCutcheon won possession high up the park. Unfortunately for Whinham and the Nix her shot was straight at City \u2018keeper Malena Mieres.<br><br>Moments later Wellington took the lead. Grace Jale pounced on an under-hit pass from Mieres in the hosts\u2019 box and while the goalkeeper made amends by saving Jale\u2019s shot, Fergusson was on the spot to tap home from close-range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"324089\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/ninja-a-league-round-8-match-review\/a-league-women-rd-8-melbourne-city-fc-v-wellington-phoenix-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191631565.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"3000,2001\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X Mark III&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Wellington Phoenix \\nplayers celebrate during the round eight A-League Women&#039;s match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at City Football Academy, on December 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina\\\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1735407409&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2024 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;3200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;A-League Women Rd 8 - Melbourne City FC v Wellington Phoenix&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-League Women Rd 8 &#8211; Melbourne City FC v Wellington Phoenix\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA &#8211; DECEMBER 28: Wellington Phoenix&lt;br \/&gt;\nplayers celebrate during the round eight A-League Women&#8217;s match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at City Football Academy, on December 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191631565.jpg?w=300\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191631565.jpg?w=1200\" height=\"800\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191631565.jpg?w=1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-324089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191631565.jpg 3000w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191631565.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191631565.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191631565.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191631565.jpg?resize=1536,1025 1536w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191631565.jpg?resize=2048,1366 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA &#8211; DECEMBER 28: Wellington Phoenix \nplayers celebrate during the round eight A-League Women&#8217;s match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at City Football Academy, on December 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Whinham had another opportunity early in the second half after the Phoenix press again won possession but this time her shot from the edge of the box lacked the power to test Mieres.<br><br>City made a triple-change shortly before the hour mark, bringing on the attacking triumvirate of Holly McNamara, Rhianna Pollicina and former Nix forward Mariana Speckmaier.<br><br>The substitutions made an impact with Speckmaier having a shot deflect narrowly wide of goal in the 66<sup>th<\/sup> minute and McNamara had a powerful shot blocked in the Nix\u2019s penalty area soon after.<br><br>Moments later the hosts drew level, with Kelly unfortunately heading a left-wing cross into her own net. City had yet to register a shot on target.<br><br>They took the lead soon after the kick-off with Laura Hughes heading home from six yards out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"324090\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/ninja-a-league-round-8-match-review\/a-league-women-rd-8-melbourne-city-fc-v-wellington-phoenix-5\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191636458.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"3000,1983\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X Mark III&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Emma Main of the Phoenix kicks the ball during the round eight A-League Women&#039;s match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at City Football Academy, on December 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina\\\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1735411671&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2024 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;3200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;A-League Women Rd 8 - Melbourne City FC v Wellington Phoenix&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-League Women Rd 8 &#8211; Melbourne City FC v Wellington Phoenix\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA &#8211; DECEMBER 28: Emma Main of the Phoenix kicks the ball during the round eight A-League Women&#8217;s match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at City Football Academy, on December 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191636458.jpg?w=300\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191636458.jpg?w=1200\" height=\"793\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191636458.jpg?w=1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-324090\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191636458.jpg 3000w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191636458.jpg?resize=300,198 300w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191636458.jpg?resize=768,508 768w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191636458.jpg?resize=1200,793 1200w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191636458.jpg?resize=1536,1015 1536w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191636458.jpg?resize=2048,1354 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA &#8211; DECEMBER 28: Emma Main of the Phoenix kicks the ball during the round eight A-League Women&#8217;s match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at City Football Academy, on December 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Wellington pressed for an equaliser in the final 10 minutes plus stoppage time.<br><br>Malena Mieres made a great save to tip Emma Main\u2019s speculative effort from 20 odd metres out over her bar in the 84<sup>th<\/sup> minute and from the resulting corner Mieres slapped away a looping shot from Mackenzie Barry.<br><br>The Phoenix\u2019s best chance for an equaliser came from another corner in the 89<sup>th<\/sup> minute. Annalie Longo\u2019s back post delivery was headed narrowly wide by Zoe McMeeken, who was unable to get the proper connection with her head unlike last week.<br><br>McMeeken had the final shot of the match deep into time added on, curling a long-range effort straight into Mieres\u2019 arms as the Nix fell to a cruel defeat to end the year.<br><br>The Wellington Phoenix will return home tomorrow and will open 2025 against the Perth Glory at Porirua Park next Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"match-card-embed-root\" class=\"match-card-embed block-match-card-embed block_db37746a0af0d242c74f43c06feda892\" data-competition=\"9p3nnxhdjahfn8qswpzy8oyc3\" data-club=\"7213z0g9qz2msv8wbbi1xpzpw\" data-match=\"axykchzwpgnj4n407kujyy710\" data-position=\"12\"><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Wellington Phoenix:\u00a0<\/strong>39. Carolina VIL\u00c3O (gk), 3. Tiana JABER (2. Zoe MCMEEKEN 85<sup>th<\/sup>), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Alivia KELLY, 6. Maya MCCUTCHEON, 7. Grace JALE, 9. Olivia FERGUSSON (20. Emma MAIN 65<sup>th<\/sup>), 10. Alyssa WHINHAM, 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE (11. Manaia ELLIOTT 78<sup>th<\/sup>), 16. Annalie LONGO (c), 21. Lara WALL.<br>Unused substitutes: 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 14. Mebae TANAKA.<br><br><strong>Melbourne City:<\/strong> 24. Malena MIERES (gk), 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia MCKENNA, 7. Kathryn HARVEY (9. Holly MCNAMARA 56<sup>th<\/sup>), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 13. Rebekah STOTT (c), 14. Laura HUGHES, 18. Leah DAVIDSON (10. Rhianna POLLICINA 56<sup>th<\/sup>), 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 22. Bryleeh HENRY (17. Mariana SPECKMAIER 56<sup>th<\/sup>), 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC (16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN 82<sup>nd<\/sup>).<br>Unused substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (gk).<br><br><strong>Goals:<br><\/strong>9. Olivia FERGUSSON (Wellington Phoenix) \u2013 37<sup>th<\/sup><br>5. Alivia KELLY (Wellington Phoenix) \u2013 67<sup>th<\/sup> og<br>14. Laura HUGHES (Melbourne City) \u2013 69<sup>th<\/sup><br><br><strong>Cards:<br><\/strong>5. Alivia KELLY (Wellington Phoenix) \u2013 yellow \u2013 11<sup>th<\/sup><br>15. Daisy BRAZENDALE (Wellington Phoenix) \u2013 yellow \u2013 31<sup>st<br><\/sup>3. Tiana JABER (Wellington Phoenix) \u2013 yellow \u2013 59<sup>th<\/sup><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":254,"featured_media":324086,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[329,330,327,343,355],"tags":[],"competition":[],"acf":{"match_card_embed_league":5096,"match_card_embed_club":null,"match_card_embed_match":"321877","match_card_embed_disable":false,"auto_publish_updates":true,"reference_article":null,"article_featured_video":"","article_featured_video_tagline":"","article_byline":"","article_media_type":"news","article_video":"","gallery":"","shared_ffa_source":"keepup","shared_hide_in_app":false,"article_player":"","article_team":"","article_competition":"","article_match":"","credit":"","related_articles":"","push_to_social":false,"priority":1,"sport":false,"language":"en","private_content":false,"access_level":"","article_id":"","app_featured_image":null,"article_content_group":"news"},"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/ninja-a-league-round-8-match-review\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Ninja A-League Round 8 Match Review","url":"http:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/ninja-a-league-round-8-match-review\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/ninja-a-league-round-8-match-review\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191635611.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191635611.jpg"},"articleSection":"Breaking News","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"brenton"}],"creator":["brenton"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Wellington Phoenix","logo":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2022\/04\/cropped-Wellington_Phoenix_FC_logo-2.png"},"keywords":[],"dateCreated":"2024-12-28T08:30:00Z","datePublished":"2024-12-28T08:30:00Z","dateModified":"2024-12-28T10:43:57Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Ninja A-League Round 8 Match Review\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/wellingtonphoenix.com\\\/news\\\/ninja-a-league-round-8-match-review\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/wellingtonphoenix.com\\\/news\\\/ninja-a-league-round-8-match-review\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wellingtonphoenix.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/11\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/GettyImages-2191635611.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wellingtonphoenix.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/11\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/GettyImages-2191635611.jpg\"},\"articleSection\":\"Breaking News\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"brenton\"}],\"creator\":[\"brenton\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Wellington Phoenix\",\"logo\":\"https:\\\/\\\/wellingtonphoenix.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/11\\\/2022\\\/04\\\/cropped-Wellington_Phoenix_FC_logo-2.png\"},\"keywords\":[],\"dateCreated\":\"2024-12-28T08:30:00Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-28T08:30:00Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-28T10:43:57Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191635611.jpg?w=1080&h=1080&quality=75","image":{"sizes":{"full":{"url":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2191635611.jpg","width":1024,"height":683,"caption":"MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Leticia McKenna of Melbourne City and Rebekah Stott of Melbourne City celebrate the win during the round eight A-League Women's match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at City Football Academy, on December 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. 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