Wellington Phoenix are very close to making history after beating Sydney FC 3-1 in the women’s A-League.
The match was played in New South Wales, and the win moved Phoenix into second place on the league table. Sydney scored first after only five minutes, putting the home side 1-0 ahead. But Phoenix responded quickly when teenage forward Pia Vlok scored soon after returning from a concussion. In the second half, defenders Marisa van der Meer and Brooke Nunn both found the net to seal an important victory.
It was Phoenix’s ninth win of the season, matching the club’s best total. The team now has 31 points from 17 matches, which is a new club record. That is three points better than their previous best season return, which came from 22 matches in 2023–24. Phoenix are now only three points behind leaders Melbourne City and still have a game in hand. With three regular-season matches left, they also still have a chance to finish top of the table.
Coach Bev Priestman said the performance was not perfect, calling it “a bit of a mixed bag”. Even so, she was pleased that her team scored three goals and earned three points away from home. She also said the side made the game harder for themselves at times. However, Priestman was happy that her players showed they could come back after falling behind early.
The Phoenix will now stay in New South Wales for a catch-up match against Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Wednesday.
