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\u201cWe\u2019ve got this international break coming up after Perth, and you want to try and go into that break with a bit of momentum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen you have that last seven games, that section of the season into playoffs. We want to build some momentum into that break. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got two tough games before that, so it\u2019s going to be a challenge, but I think we fancy ourselves against anybody at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe went away and won in Perth last year too, so we\u2019ve got every reason to be upbeat about those two games.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking on a high-flying Victory side won\u2019t be easy, but a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture has given Temple added confidence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPound for pound, their squad\u2019s pretty fantastic. They\u2019ve got some really good players. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn paper they\u2019re one of the favourites, and obviously they\u2019re sitting second and pushing City for that Premier\u2019s Plate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re one of the top two teams in the competition for a reason, and they deserve respect in how we approach the game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut equally, we can\u2019t put too much into that, and have to focus on what we can do to hurt them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen we played them at the Home of the Matildas earlier on in the season, we showed some really good tactical ability to stay structured, stay in the game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe only conceded that penalty, and limited their amount of chances, and looked really good in that last 20 minutes when we got an equaliser, and could have gone on and won the game. Against these top teams, we can compete.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n He knows where the Nix need to improve in order to chase down their maiden playoff appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBrisbane was a good example, that\u2019s probably a game we should get something from based on the manner in which the game went, how well we played, and the amount of chances we created. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe really do need to be finishing these chances, put these goals away, and get points where we deserve them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere was a period in the first half we were very much on top and didn\u2019t score in that time. That adds pressure as you go through the game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to be a bit more clinical, we all know that and we\u2019ve been working hard on that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf we can create the amount of chances we\u2019ve been doing in games on a regular basis, and can put those chances away, we\u2019ll start getting a lot more points.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n After making her debut against Brisbane in an unfamiliar right back position, new signing Amelia Abbott is ready to up her involvement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe was good when she came on. I said prior that we see her in the backline or in midfield, so I think she can do a job for the team anywhere really. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know she hasn\u2019t played at all really at right full back, so I thought she did well considering it\u2019s not her preferred position or usual position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe put some energy into the game, got forward and helped us attack, which I thought was good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaking her professional debut as well, it was a tough game to come into. She did a good job and she\u2019s continuing to do that in training.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And Manaia Elliott is also one to watch, having been named in the Football Ferns squad for the upcoming matches against Costa Rica, where she could make her international debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe deserves it. She\u2019s had a good season, been really impactful. I think she\u2019s had really good impact in the games, a lot of that has come from off the bench. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think it was probably her best start against Brisbane, in terms of the impact she had on the game. She\u2019s getting more and more confident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen she plays she\u2019s dynamic, causes opponents trouble because she\u2019s got really good running power. She\u2019s scored a few goals too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you do those things, you\u2019re going to impact the game and impress the national team coach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think [Ferns head coach] Michael Mayne\u2019s seen her play and obviously followed with a call-up, so fingers crossed she gets her debut.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The round 15 Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory is scheduled to kick-off at Porirua Park in Wellington at 4pm Saturday and will be broadcast free-to-air on Sky Open in New Zealand and LIVE on Sky Sport 1 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ and 10 Play in Australia. <\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/Mackenzie-Barry-2-1.jpg?w=1200\")
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