Phoenix wary of World Cup winner as focus shifts
Wellington Phoenix have had to move on quickly from their first A-League Women home game.
Addressing the defensive shortcomings that led to their 4-1 defeat to Melbourne City has been a big focus as they seek an immediate bounce-back in their second game at Sky Stadium, against newcomers Western United today.
Western made a contrasting start to the Phoenix, toppling two-time defending champions Melbourne Victory in their inaugural game.
The match-winning goal was scored by striker Jess McDonald, a World Cup winner with the United States in 2019.
Phoenix coach Natalie Lawrence has demanded improvement in one-v-one defending this week after they were run ragged by Chilean international Maria Jose Rojas, who had a hand in three of City’s four goals.
‘‘Obviously we can’t deny the fact that there were some technical onev-one errors that led to goals,’’ Lawrence said. ‘‘That’s been a big focus for us.’’
The Phoenix will need to tighten up at the back as they have another top quality striker to deal with coming up against McDonald, a 19-cap US international and three-time NWSL champion.
‘‘We know that she’s going to provide a lot of class, provide a lot of speed and provide experience.
‘‘We obviously watched their game back and she scored their goal … but she’s always going to be someone we’re going to have to watch out for.
‘‘We’ve looked through videos of her recently and we know what her strengths are and we’re going to try to nullify them as much as we can so then we can play our game.’’
The Phoenix have received a boost up front with winger Michaela Robertson over the concussion symptoms that ruled her out of the season opener.
Robertson is expected to slot straight into the starting lineup and will become the first player actually from Wellington to turn out for the Phoenix in the A-League Women when she debuts.
The fringe Football Fern was concussed when she took a ball to the face during the first week pre-season and said it took her a month to recover.
‘‘Unfortunately I got kicked in the face with the ball, and it took me out,’’ Robertson said.
‘‘I thought it was fine but a week later symptoms kicked in and a month on here we are.
‘‘Concussion symptoms are a little bit strange and they’re a bit different for everyone but I had a lot of pressure in my head, struggled to focus.
‘‘But now I’ve done all the tests and I’m passing them symptom free, it’s good to be back.
‘‘This is a moment I’ve dreamed of my whole life.’’
Captain Lily Alfeld (knee), forward Emma Rolston (back) and midfielders Isabel Gomez (foot) and Grace Wisnewski (calf) remain unavailable.
‘‘...we can’t deny the fact that there were some technical one-v-one errors that led to goals.’’
Natalie Lawrence