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This match now shapes as a must-win fixture, especially after last week\u2019s disappointing defeat to Central Coast Mariners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor a few days, the mood was probably very sombre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe had a good start to the week, we\u2019ve had an eight day turnaround which gave us a day that we don\u2019t usually have. That helped people leave it, and just move on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe rest of the season is a race. Fourth down to eighth are really packed in. It\u2019s really open still, and it\u2019s still in our hands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have to keep focused on us, not think about what teams are doing around us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf results go our way in other games, it doesn\u2019t mean anything unless we capitalise on that. We\u2019ve still got to do our job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunday will also see Mariana Speckmaier feature against Wellington after she was the Phoenix top scorer last season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like anything. We know some of the intricacies of her game, she knows some of the intricacies of our game, so there\u2019s pros and cons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe had a good season together, we stay in touch and still speak, but on Sunday it\u2019s about us. We need to get the points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI hope the Yellow Fever give her stick and she has a terrible game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut she\u2019s a good person, and she\u2019s a good player, doing really well for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn a serious note, we have to take that into consideration and have a plan for her and that frontline of Melbourne City.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Making that job easier will be Tiana Jaber\u2019s return from suspension, and, barring long-term absentees, a clean bill of health across the squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe medical team have been great, clearing up a few minor niggles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have Tiana returning from suspension, Emma Main returning as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere\u2019s a full squad to choose from, apart from Rebecca Lake and Ella McCann who are long-term.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The previous matchup between the sides in Melbourne saw City scrape a 2-1 win after the Nix had taken a first-half lead and restricted the hosts to no shots until the hour mark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a challenging last three games for them. We gave a pretty good account of ourselves in Melbourne last time out, and really took the game to them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere were two big factors that swung it in that last game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey brought on the trio of Speckmaier, McNamara, and Pollicina, and we\u2019ve talked about how they play differently when those players are in the team and how to deal with it better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlso, we had that crazy own goal scenario which was something that happens, but it\u2019s not consistent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe did really well in that game, once we went 2-1 down, to come at them and maybe we could have nicked a point at the end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ll definitely take some confidence from the last time we played them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The round 21 Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City is scheduled to kick-off at Porirua Park in Wellington at 4pm Sunday March 30th and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 1 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ and 10 Play in Australia.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/25-03-28-ALW-Training-24.jpg?w=1200\")
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