Wellington Phoenix Faces Setback with Third ACL Injury

The Wellington Phoenix women’s team has suffered a significant setback with the announcement that striker Sabitra Bhandari will miss the remainder of the A-League season due to a serious knee injury. Bhandari, affectionately known as Samba, joins midfielders Tessel Middag and Alyssa Whinham on the sidelines after sustaining a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft in her right knee. This injury, confirmed by an MRI scan, will keep her out of action for an estimated nine to twelve months.

The injury occurred late in the second half of the round 11 match against Brisbane Roar on Saturday night. Bhandari’s absence represents a considerable loss for the team, which has already been grappling with injuries this season. Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman expressed his disappointment, noting the emotional toll on the team.

“I know the team are absolutely devastated for her,” Priestman stated. “I was devastated in helping deliver that news. First and foremost, we recruited an unbelievable human. Samba’s probably the most popular player in the team. The team love her and adore her.”

The coach described feeling “gutted” for Bhandari but also noted her determination to recover. “I’ve seen the hunger in her eyes. We’ve got her for two seasons and she’s like, ‘get me back as quick as I can get back.’”

In response to the injury crisis, Priestman acknowledged that the team has faced challenges before and that players have risen to the occasion. “Sometimes these things are thrown at you to test you and test the character of the group,” he said. The Phoenix previously encountered a similar situation before a match against Melbourne Victory, and Priestman hopes the team will again respond positively.

As the Phoenix look for a replacement for Bhandari, their options are limited. The A-League registration window has closed, meaning they can only sign free agents. In a related move, the club recently announced the signing of American forward Makala Woods to fill the gap left by Middag.

This injury underscores the physical demands of professional sports and the mental resilience required to cope with adversity. The Wellington Phoenix will need to rally together as they navigate the remainder of the season without three key players.