{"id":324473,"date":"2025-02-08T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-08T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/?p=324473"},"modified":"2025-02-09T21:53:50","modified_gmt":"2025-02-09T08:53:50","slug":"ninja-a-league-round-15-match-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/ninja-a-league-round-15-match-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Ninja A-League Round 15 Match Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Wellington Phoenix have been held to a draw by Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park despite an outstanding first half performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maya McCutcheon\u2019s early goal from a corner set the tone, but the Nix could not find a second finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A defensive error allowed Victory to equalise, and the match finished 1-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wellington Phoenix head coach Paul Temple was left frustrated after the team\u2019s performance was not reflected by the scoreline.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think we&#8217;ve probably come away from it disappointed with a point to be honest,\u201d he told media post-match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI thought we controlled the game from start to finish. We had more possession, more of the ball, made more passes, looked the more likely.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cUltimately, they got a goal off a mistake of ours, and that\u2019s a horrible way to concede.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor the players involved, they\u2019re really frustrated with themselves, we\u2019re frustrated as a team, but it\u2019s just part of football as well.&nbsp;<\/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 Victory\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2mek_43Nsqg?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>\u201cNo issues from my point of view, you have to move on from those sorts of things. I think we took too long to move on from it, and that little ten-minute spell after the goal was a bit of a dead period in the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAfter that we responded quite well, and the team was probably going to score the winner if there was going to be one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An impressive first half display could, and perhaps should, have led to a greater lead at half-time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe first half was good, it was what we intended from the game. Nick\u2019s [coach Nick Stanton] been working hard with them on set pieces, and one of those came off brilliantly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s great when one of those comes off. As a staff, it\u2019s what you work on, and we were really good in the first half.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe rotation down the left side with Lara, Grace, and Annalie was deadly, and I thought they really struggled to contain us down that side.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe just didn\u2019t use it as much in the second half, which is frustrating and something we have to work on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a welcome return to Porirua Park for Temple after two games away, with a raucous crowd providing an energy boost.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"324475\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/ninja-a-league-round-15-match-review\/a-league-women-rd-15-wellington-phoenix-v-melbourne-victory-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198287269_95df4b.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"5400,3600\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 08: Annalie Longo of the Phoenix attempts to evade Sara D&#039;Appolonia of the Victory during the round 15 A-League Women&#039;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\\\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1739030843&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2025 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;140&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;160&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;A-League Women Rd 15 - Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-League Women Rd 15 &#8211; Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND &#8211; FEBRUARY 08: Annalie Longo of the Phoenix attempts to evade Sara D&#8217;Appolonia of the Victory during the round 15 A-League Women&#8217;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198287269_95df4b.jpg?w=300\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198287269_95df4b.jpg?w=1200\" height=\"800\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198287269_95df4b.jpg?w=1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-324475\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198287269_95df4b.jpg 5400w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198287269_95df4b.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198287269_95df4b.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198287269_95df4b.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198287269_95df4b.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198287269_95df4b.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND &#8211; FEBRUARY 08: Annalie Longo of the Phoenix attempts to evade Sara D&#8217;Appolonia of the Victory during the round 15 A-League Women&#8217;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s always good to be here. It\u2019s kind of typical of how we\u2019ve been at home.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve been quite good in terms of dominating games and going after teams so I\u2019m pleased with all that.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s just a bit frustrating we\u2019re not able to convert all of this attacking intent into more goals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI thought we missed an opportunity in the first half when we were that dominant to put another goal away. When you\u2019re only 1-0 up, there\u2019s that really fine edge.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cVictory are a team that\u2019s been around finals, they know how to grind out results year after year, and they did that today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Seventeen year old Ela Jerez made her debut for the Nix after signing a scholarship deal at the beginning of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShe\u2019s deserved the opportunity to come in. She\u2019s gotten better and better as the year\u2019s gone on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe first three months she was adjusting to being a professional. She\u2019s still so young, learning what it\u2019s like, but she\u2019s been really professional with her mentality as the year\u2019s gone on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s hard for a young player to come in, they\u2019re so nervous, but it\u2019s good for her to get it out of the way. You\u2019ll start to see her qualities come out. She\u2019s a really technical player.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"324476\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/ninja-a-league-round-15-match-review\/a-league-women-rd-15-wellington-phoenix-v-melbourne-victory-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198285854.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"5400,3600\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 08: Maya McCutcheon of the Phoenix celebrates after scoring a goal during the round 15 A-League Women&#039;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\\\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1739030560&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2025 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;160&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;A-League Women Rd 15 - Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-League Women Rd 15 &#8211; Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND &#8211; FEBRUARY 08: Maya McCutcheon of the Phoenix celebrates after scoring a goal during the round 15 A-League Women&#8217;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198285854.jpg?w=300\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198285854.jpg?w=1200\" height=\"800\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198285854.jpg?w=1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-324476\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198285854.jpg 5400w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198285854.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198285854.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198285854.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198285854.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198285854.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND &#8211; FEBRUARY 08: Maya McCutcheon of the Phoenix celebrates after scoring a goal during the round 15 A-League Women&#8217;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Paul Temple made one change to the team that narrowly lost to Brisbane Roar, striker Olivia Fergusson replacing midfielder Daisy Brazendale. Teenager Ela Jerez was also included on the bench for the first time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a dream start for the Nix, Maya McCutcheon heading in from a corner just 90 seconds into the match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Annalie Longo was the creator in chief, having sparked chaos in the Melbourne penalty box before the corner, then delivering a pinpoint cross from it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Victory almost equalised immediately, Carolina Vil\u00e3o called into action to make a brilliant double save after Sara D\u2019Appolonia was set free inside the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tiana Jaber was the next to try her luck ten minutes in, but her attempt from range sailed into the arms of Courtney Newbon.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Phoenix were buoyed by the early strike, and kept Victory hemmed in with a ferocious press.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The left wing proved particularly productive, Lara Wall supplying regular crosses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>McCutcheon had a chance to double her tally following another corner, but couldn\u2019t get over her shot on the bounce.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Phoenix were firmly on top, a driving run from Manaia Elliott ending in a shot finding the side netting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"324477\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/ninja-a-league-round-15-match-review\/a-league-women-rd-15-wellington-phoenix-v-melbourne-victory-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198290409.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"5400,3600\" 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 R3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 08: Fans show their support during the round 15 A-League Women&#039;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\\\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1739030588&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2025 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;A-League Women Rd 15 - Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-League Women Rd 15 &#8211; Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND &#8211; FEBRUARY 08: Fans show their support during the round 15 A-League Women&#8217;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198290409.jpg?w=300\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198290409.jpg?w=1200\" height=\"800\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198290409.jpg?w=1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-324477\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198290409.jpg 5400w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198290409.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198290409.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198290409.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198290409.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198290409.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND &#8211; FEBRUARY 08: Fans show their support during the round 15 A-League Women&#8217;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Elliott came even closer in the 27th minute, throwing herself onto another Wall cross before planting her header just wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A rare opening for the away side saw Emily Gielnik race through, but good recovery defending from Alivia Kelly meant the Matilda could only scoop over the bar.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vil\u00e3o was called into action again when D\u2019Appolonia took aim, but a weak shot was never going to seriously test her.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And it was Grace Jale who had the last significant action of the first half, fizzing into Newbon\u2019s arms from 25 yards out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Elliott nearly opened the scoring five minutes into the second stanza, a cleverly worked free kick seeing her fire across goal, Newbon doing well to palm away.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite piling on pressure, Wellington were unable to find a second goal, which came back to bite them on the hour mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A defensive miscommunication allowed Victory substitute Nicki Flannery in to slot past Vil\u00e3o and restore parity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fergusson almost instantly restored the lead when her shot on the turn was saved.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The goal had fired Melbourne up, and Jaber was required to make an outstanding sliding challenge to deny another clear chance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"324481\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/ninja-a-league-round-15-match-review\/a-league-women-rd-15-wellington-phoenix-v-melbourne-victory-8\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198283416.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"5400,3600\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 08: Coach Paul Temple of the Phoenix looks on during the round 15 A-League Women&#039;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\\\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1739029602&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2025 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;85&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00015625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;A-League Women Rd 15 - Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-League Women Rd 15 &#8211; Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND &#8211; FEBRUARY 08: Coach Paul Temple of the Phoenix looks on during the round 15 A-League Women&#8217;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198283416.jpg?w=300\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198283416.jpg?w=1200\" height=\"800\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198283416.jpg?w=1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-324481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198283416.jpg 5400w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198283416.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198283416.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198283416.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198283416.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198283416.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND &#8211; FEBRUARY 08: Coach Paul Temple of the Phoenix looks on during the round 15 A-League Women&#8217;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Alivia Kelly and Alyssa Whinham produced two shots from distance in quick succession, before Temple turned to his bench for the first time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whinham and Fergusson were withdrawn for Emma Main and Ela Jerez, making her professional debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Main was set free almost immediately with a magnificent pass from Longo, but she was just unable to bring it under control when one-on-one with Newbon.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both teams were able to create chances, but neither could take them, leading to a frantic final ten minutes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>WIth Wellington streaming forward to attack, Victory were able to find space on the counter.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best chance forced Vil\u00e3o into a brilliant save, taking the ball off Gielnik\u2019s toes when she looked certain to score.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Amelia Abbott was introduced for the final five minutes, replacing Jaber to make her home debut.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"324480\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/news\/ninja-a-league-round-15-match-review\/a-league-women-rd-15-wellington-phoenix-v-melbourne-victory-7\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198289079.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"5400,3600\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 08: Grace Jale of the Phoenix in action during the round 15 A-League Women&#039;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\\\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1739032300&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2025 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;7.8125E-5&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;A-League Women Rd 15 - Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-League Women Rd 15 &#8211; Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND &#8211; FEBRUARY 08: Grace Jale of the Phoenix in action during the round 15 A-League Women&#8217;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198289079.jpg?w=300\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198289079.jpg?w=1200\" height=\"800\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198289079.jpg?w=1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-324480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198289079.jpg 5400w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198289079.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198289079.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198289079.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198289079.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2198289079.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND &#8211; FEBRUARY 08: Grace Jale of the Phoenix in action during the round 15 A-League Women&#8217;s match between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park, on February 08, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And the last chance for Victory fell to Holly Furphy, her header barely floating wide left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There was still time for McCutcheon to force Newbon into a stretching stop, but both sides ultimately had to settle for a point.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Wellington Phoenix will return to action next Sunday, making the long trip to Perth to face the Glory in the final match before the international break.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wellington Phoenix: <\/strong>39. Carolina VIL\u00c3O (gk), 3. Tiana JABER (8. Amelia ABBOT 87th), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Alivia KELLY, 6. Maya MCCUTCHEON, 7. Grace JALE, 9. Olivia FERGUSSON (17. Ela JEREZ 74th), 10. Alyssa WHINHAM (20. Emma MAIN 74th), 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 16. Annalie LONGO (c), 21. Lara WALL.&nbsp;<br>Unused substitutes: 13. Brooke NEARY (gk), 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Melbourne Victory:<\/strong> 50. Courtney NEWBON (gk), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 8. Alana MURPHY, 10. Alexandra CHIDIAC, 13. Sara D\u2019APPOLONIA (11. Nicki Flannery 60th), 15. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURITS, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI (9. Holly Furphy 60th).<br>Unused substitutes: 62. Geo CANDY (gk), 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 7. Ella O\u2019GRADY.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Goals:\u00a0<\/strong><br>6. Maya McCutcheon (Wellington Phoenix) &#8211; 2nd<br>11. Nicki Flannery (Melbourne Victory) &#8211; 61st<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cards:&nbsp;<\/strong><br>9. 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