Grace Jale celebrates with Lara Wall (L) and Annalie Longo after scoring a goal during the round 10 A-League Women's match between Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory at Porirua Park, on 4 January 2025, in Wellington. Photo: Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images
The Wellington Phoenix women's footballers have started 2025 in fine style, with a two-nil win over Perth in their A-League encounter in Porirua this afternoon.
After a tight first half which saw the teams go the half-time break locked up at nil, the Phoenix pounced just two minutes into the second half with a fine long-range solo goal from New Zealand international Grace Jale.
The 25-year-old's strike was from 25 metres, as she placed it expertly past the outstretched hand of Perth goalkeeper Casey Dumont.
The goal was Jale's second of the season, following her first against Sydney just before Christmas.
The Phoenix doubled their lead in the 69th minute, after Olivia Fergusson headed home a delightful cross from Lara Wall.
It was a classy finish from the Phoenix striker, who has now scored in consecutive matches for the team.
Perth were unlucky not to get one back near the end, with a spectacular long range strike from Miku Sunaga thundering into the crossbar.
But it was to be the Phoenix's day as they closed out the victory, which was their fourth in their last six matches.
The mid-season run has seen them surge into fifth place on the ladder, after starting the season with three straight losses.
