Mariana Speckmaier of the Phoenix celebrates Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Wellington Phoenix overcame some contentious refereeing decisions to return to winning ways in the women's A-League.
The Phoenix beat Canberra United 2-0 in front of a raucous home crowd at Porirua Park, despite being forced to play the final 25 minutes with just 10 players after Rylee Foster was controversially sent off.
Mariana Speckmaier scored a goal either side of halftime and replacement 'keeper Brianna Edwards made an incredible penalty save to secure the Nix their first win of 2024.
Phoenix head coach Paul Temple was "delighted with the performance" before and after the red card.
"I thought we played some really, really good football, played some great one and two touch stuff around the edge of their box, scored a good goal…and we were flying," Temple told media post-match.
"And then we had to show how we can defend, and how we can be strong and resolute and fight, and we showed so much spirit.
"It was just the perfect performance on the ball and without the ball so I was really, really pleased. We deserved to win."
Temple was unable to make sense of the sending off, but it "created an amazing moment for Brianna."
"I'm delighted for her. She came on and stepped up and that gave everyone the energy for the last 25.
"If that had gone in the energy would have been sucked out and it would have been tough, but that penalty save really helped us get through to the end."
The result saw the Phoenix jump from 10th to sixth, at least momentarily.
"When you go through a dip and you're in the pit a little bit it's very hard to see out…but all the way through we've never stopped believing we're a good team.
"And I actually think is going to do us good in the long-run because we've come out of this a better group and we're more united."
Paul Temple made three changes to the XI which started last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Melbourne City with Tiana Jaber, Zoe McMeeken and Macey Fraser coming into the side in place of the injured Mackenzie Barry and Michaela Foster, and the ill Emma Main. It was Jaber's first start for the Phoenix after two previous appearances off the bench.
The game's big flashpoint came in the 66th when Foster was shown a straight red card for making minimal contact with Canberra forward Deven Jackson in the Phoenix box.
On came Edwards in goal, with Fraser having to make way. Edwards guessed right and spectacularly saved Maria Rojas' spot kick high to her right, energising the crowd and her teammates.
Canberra dominated possession for the remaining 20 minutes and time added on but their goal scoring opportunities were few and far between and Brianna Edwards wasn't forced to make any other saves of note.
The Wellington Phoenix will now have a spring their collective step when they return across the Tasman for next Sunday's match against the Newcastle Jets in Newcastle.
