Melbourne Victory suffered their first loss to Wellington Phoenix in the Ninja A-League after a tight one-goal affair at Porirua Park.
Victory battled out a fierce tussle with the Phoenix in New Zealand, finding themselves a goal behind late in the first half.
Although Victory would dominate territory, possession and shots at their opponents’ goal, Jeff Hopkins’ side could not find a way through the host’s resolute defence, suffering their first-ever loss to the Nix.
Team News
Celebrating a second-straight win following a 1-0 win in the Grand Final rematch against the Mariners at the Home of the Matildas, Hopkins opted to keep the starting XI unchanged for our Round 4 clash.
There was one change made to the substitutes bench, with youngster Jessica Young added to the list ahead of Poppy O’Keeffe.
Match Action
Kicking off the action at Porirua Park, Victory would create one of their best chances within the opening minute.
Unleashing a half-volley on the edge of the box, Rachel Lowe’s effort travelled narrowly wide of the bottom corner.
After Lowe’s early moment, the game settled with both teams wrestling for control.
On her homecoming game against her former side, Zoe McMeeken was a particular standout for the Girls in Blue, involved in action all across the pitch.
Just past the 20-minute mark, Courtney Newbon would be called into action to deny Manaia Elliott’s long-range strike, pulling off a crucial fingertips save.
Bombing up and down the right flank, McMeeken would deliver a driven cross into the box, which would painfully evade her teammates by a small margin.
Just one minute later, the Phoenix would go up the other end and convert on a similar chance of their own.
Arriving at the back post to meet a ball played across goal, 17-year-old Pia Vlok netted her first goal in the competition.
It was a clinical move and goal for the Phoenix in the 38th minute, making the most of the opportunity and entering the half-time break a goal ahead.
While Victory held 56% of possession and recorded double the number of shots at goal compared to their opponents, the Girls in Blue failed to create any clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes.
Half-time: Wellington Phoenix 1 – 0 Melbourne Victory
Trailing with the second half to play, Victory knew it was not going to be easy to find their way past the hosts, who were happy to settle defensively and deny Victory space to attack.
Emma Main would not be able to convert the one and only clear shot the Phoenix had in the half just a minute after the restart, putting pressure on the backline to resist the Girls in Blue.
Alana Jančevski would be influential down the left flank, with her dangerous deliveries into the box causing the Yellow and Black a number of issues, but the finishing touches were not able to be found.
American forward Kennedy White would find herself played through on goal at the hour mark, but would tumble down in the box after receiving a clip on the heel by a Phoenix defender.
The referee opted to continue play, with the hosts certainly fortunate with the absence of VAR review.
Claudia Bunge would be quickest to react to a loose ball in the box in the 65th minute, but the Kiwi defender could not keep her effort down and on target.
Hopkins would turn to his youngsters on the bench, with the attack-minded Sienna Techera, Ella O’Grady and Jessica Young all entering the action across the final stretch of the match.
It was a frustrating close to the game for Victory, constantly searching for an opening with the hosts parked inside their own half.
A free-kick delivered by Jančevski in additional time would locate the head of Captain Kayla Morrison, but the ball would hit the crossbar and go out for a goal kick.
Firing 12 shots on goal, creating 1.21 expected goals and holding 69% of possession, Victory simply could not find a way through despite their second-half dominance in New Zealand.
The full-time whistle would eventually arrive, confirming Wellington’s first win and Victory’s second loss of the season.
Match Details
Wellington Phoenix 1 (VLOK 38′)
Melbourne Victory 0
Wellington Phoenix starting XI: 1. Victoria ESSON (GK), 5. Ellie WALKER, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 21. Lara WALL, 7. Grace JALE, 2. CJ BOTT (C), 24. Pia VLOK, 23. Brooke NUNN, 20. Emma MAIN (15. Daisy BRAZENDALE 68′), 11. Manaia ELLIOTT.
Substitutes not used: 22. Aimee FEINBERG-DANIELI (GK), 12. Ella McMILLAN, 19. Olivia INGHAM, 26. Lily BRAZENDALE, 28. Grace BARTLETT.
Booking: BOTT 88′.
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 1. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 66. Alana JANCEVSKI, 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 81. Grace MAHER, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 19. Zoe McMEEKEN (7. Ella O’GRADY 86′), 23. Rachel LOWE (41. Jessica YOUNG 90+3′), 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 5. Sofia SAKALIS (28. Sienna TECHERA 74′), 9. Holly FURPHY, 16. Kennedy WHITE.
Substitutes not used: 30. Payton WOODWARD (GK), 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS.
Booking: WHITE 45+3′.
Coming Soon
Returning to home soil in Round 5, Melbourne Victory will strive to return to winning ways back at the Home of the Matildas when they take on Perth Glory on Sunday, November 30, kick-off 4pm AEDT.
