Fiona Worts of Adelaide United and Tiana Jaber of Wellington Phoenix during the round 11 A-League Women's match between Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix at Marden Sports Complex, on 12 January, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. Photo: Getty / Sarah Reed
The Wellington Phoenix women have been beaten for the first time in 2025, losing 2-1 to Adelaide United in the stifling heat of South Australia.
Adelaide scored both of their goals late in the first half to lead 2-0 at half-time break and held on despite conceding an own goal in the 59th minute.
The Phoenix beat Western Sydney Wanderers 3-0 on Thursday but were not able to complete the double on Sunday.
The result sees the two sides trade places on the Ninja A-League ladder, with Adelaide moving into fourth and Wellington dropping to fifth and level on points with sixth-placed Central Coast.
The match kicked off in 34C degree heat at Marden Sports Complex and play was stopped twice in each half for drinks breaks.
Phoenix head coach Paul Temple believes the conditions made it challenging for his players.
"I think the contrast is very difficult to deal with ... We're not exactly having a hot summer in New Zealand right now so to go from 16 degrees to 34 degrees is just a giant jump," Temple said post-match.
"Even from Sydney on Thursday night, when it was very cool and rainy, to come here is pretty extreme. It's extremely tough and demanding, especially when you've played a midweek game.
"It's always more challenging for us playing away. It's not really the travel, it's more the extreme difference in conditions today was a huge factor. I think you could even see it for Adelaide. It looked like they were really struggling physically as well."
Temple felt his side probably deserved a point out of it despite the heat and was disappointed with their spell before half-time when they conceded both goals.
"It's not really like us. I think we've set ourselves a really good standard, a really high standard in recent weeks and I think it was just a game too far in the conditions today to really see the true side of ourselves.
"I'm sure it would have been a frustrating watch for everybody back home, but we just couldn't bring the best out of ourselves today. Ultimately, they gave everything and they worked extremely hard. I'm really proud of them as a group."
The Phoenix looked the more dangerous of the two sides in the opening 15 minutes but could not convert opportunities.
Adelaide finished the half the stronger of the two sides.
The Phoenix found themselves behind in the 41st minute when Carolina Vilão was unable to claim a cross-come-shot from Emily Condon as she was put under pressure by Adelaide captain Ella Tonkin.
Vilão believed she was fouled but the goal stood.
Three minutes later Adelaide doubled their lead when Chelsie Dawber won possession inside Wellington's half, and slotted home from six yards out and the Nix were unable to find a way back into the match before half-time.
Alyssa Whinham helped the Phoenix pull a goal back before the first drinks break of the second half when she delivered a cross from the byline that Lucia Leon turned into her own net.
The Phoenix will make the long trip back to Wellington today and will be back at home on Sunday to play Newcastle Jets at Porirua Park.
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