Wellington Phoenix Women Held to Draw After Controversial Penalty

A controversial penalty decision overshadowed the Wellington Phoenix Women’s 1-1 draw against the Newcastle Jets at Porirua Park on Sunday. Early momentum was established when Brooke Nunn scored her first goal for the Phoenix just three minutes into the match, but frustration set in as the Jets equalized from the penalty spot.

The Phoenix, driven by a strong performance from Nunn and 17-year-old Pia Vlok, took an early lead when Nunn capitalized on a perfectly placed assist from Vlok. The opening goal set the tone for what appeared to be a promising outing for the home side. However, the match turned in the 23rd minute when Mackenzie Barry tangled with Lauren Allan in the box, prompting referee Anna-Marie Keighley to award a penalty. Experienced Jets forward Melina Ayres converted, leveling the score at 1-1.

After the match, Phoenix captain CJ Bott expressed her disappointment regarding the penalty decision. “I thought it was a bit questionable,” Bott remarked during an interview with Sky Sport. “We were pretty unlucky there. It was just a bit gutting that we couldn’t put any more in the back of the net.”

Despite maintaining their unbeaten streak, the Wellington Phoenix have now drawn their last two matches, leaving head coach Ben Priestman still in search of her first victory. Priestman noted that her team “created enough to win the game” and emphasized the need for better finishing.

Vlok, making her first start after debuting in a previous match against Canberra, showcased her talent throughout the game. Her confident long-range shot early on caught the attention of fans, setting up Nunn’s goal shortly thereafter. Priestman praised Vlok’s performance, stating, “What a talent,” and hinted at a bright future for the young player.

In addition to the draw, the Phoenix faced challenges beyond the pitch. They lost Nepalese striker Sabitra Bhandari before the match and saw Alyssa Whinham leave the field due to injury in the second half, raising concerns about her condition.

On the opposing side, Jets coach Stephen Hoyle returned to New Zealand with a satisfactory result, having previously played in the national league across four different clubs. He brought back four New Zealand players for the match, including goalkeeper Anna Leat, who made a significant save in the second half to preserve the draw.

The Phoenix had opportunities to secure the win, including a missed chance from Grace Jale and a close effort from Whinham that was thwarted by Leat. As the match neared its conclusion, Nunn made a strong run but was unable to capitalize on a critical moment when substitute Manaia Elliott failed to control the ball under pressure.

With the latest result, the Wellington Phoenix now hold a record of two wins, one draw, and five losses in their last eight encounters against the Jets since 2021. The team will need to regroup quickly as they look ahead to their next match, aiming to convert opportunities into goals and secure a much-needed victory.