Melbourne Victory head across to New Zealand to take on Wellington Phoenix in Round 4 of the Ninja A-League on Sunday, November 23, kick-off 2pm AEDT.
Recording a second consecutive win in last week’s Grand Final rematch against Central Coast at the Home of the Matildas, Victory head back on the road to take on Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.
A third away game for the Girls in Blue in the opening four rounds, Jeff Hopkins’ side will hope to stick to their winning ways against the Nix at Porirua Park.
The Girls in Blue
Coming off a hard-fought 1-0 win in the home opening fixture against the Mariners in Round 3, the belief is high in the Victory group after enacting revenge on their Grand Final opponents last season.
Despite a hiccup in the season opener away to Brisbane Roar, which saw Victory come from behind to take the lead at the break to go on and concede two late goals in a lightning-impacted clash in Queensland, the Girls in Blue got back to their best in Jeff Hopkins’ record-breaking 200th appearance in the competition.
Led by an impressive hat-trick from American recruit Kennedy White and a first goal in navy blue for athletic full-back Zoe McMeeken, Victory ran away as 4-1 winners against Western Sydney Wanderers.
While the Girls in Blue couldn’t recreate their explosive goalscoring form of the opening two rounds against the Mariners, Rhianna Pollicina’s opportunistic finish in the 55th minute ensured Victory claimed another crucial three points.
The 28-year-old midfielder has started strong since making the switch across from Melbourne City in the offseason, already registering two goals and winning the Victory Player of the Match award twice in the space of three games.
Topping the A-League Women’s ladder heading into Round 4, Victory’s league-leading 17.5% shot conversion and chance creation, combined with rock-solid defensive structure, leave the Wuck as a force to be reckoned with.
White’s four goals have her leading the top scorer charts so far, while Pollicina and Sofia Sakalis are tied second in the league for their seven chances created.
With an unchanged squad set to take on the Phoenix, another three points to add to the tally will be the goal for the Girls in Blue.
Round 4 Squad: 1. Courtney NEWBON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 14. Fiorina IARIA, 16. Kennedy WHITE, 17. Poppy O’KEEFFE, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 19. Zoe MCMEEKEN, 20. Leyla HUSSEIN, 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 30. Payton WOODWARD, 41. Jessica YOUNG, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI, 81. Grace MAHER.
Ins: N/A
Outs: N/A
Unavailable: 4. Chelsea BLISSETT (back), 6. Taylor RAY (foot), 8. Sienna SAVESKA (medical), 11. Nickoletta FLANNERY (leg).
The Phoenux
Finishing the 2024/25 season as the league’s ninth-placed team, Wellington Phoenix have been tipped for an improved campaign with the arrival of former Canadian national team head coach, Bev Priestman.
Dealt with a bye in the opening round, the Phoenix could only manage a 1-1 draw in their first game of the season against Canberra United at Porirua Park.
A second-straight 1-1 draw at Porirua Park would follow for Nix, unable to find the winning touches against Newcastle Jets.
New Zealand internationals Grace Jale and Marisa van der Meer have played key roles in Priestman’s team to begin, while the Kiwis’ number one shot-stopper, Victoria Esson, has impressed between the sticks.
Playing on home soil for a third consecutive game, a first win of the season will be on the agenda for the Phoenix in Round 4.
Run it back
Last meeting each other back in February at Porirua Park, both sides were forced to settle for a point in a one-all draw.
Stunning Victory in the second minute with a goal from midfielder Maya McCutcheon, Victory’s winger Nicki Flannery would score seconds after entering the action from the bench with a perfect half-volley into the bottom corner.
While Victory would go on to push for the win and create a number of dangerous chances, 1-1 would be the final score in New Zealand.
Last time out
Seeking to defend the home fort against the Mariners, Victory were successful in their pursuit of all three points against Kory Babington’s side.
Taking the lead early in the half through Rhianna Pollicina’s goal, Hopkins’ team held out well to keep their first clean sheet of the season and take the 1-0 win in Bundoora.
On the next day, Wellington would host Newcastle Jets and get off to the perfect start following new recruit Brooke Nunn’s fourth-minute goal.
However, former Victory forward Melina Ayres would dispatch a penalty from the spot to equalise for the Jets in the 23rd minute – the final scoring action of the game.
