Phoenix women away win, 4th on points table
- Dec 31, 2025
- 2 min read
The Wellington Phoenix women's team have jumped up the A-League ladder after backing up their record-breaking win over Sydney FC.
The Phoenix have beaten Western Sydney Wanderers 3-0 at Wanderers Football Park in Sydney thanks to goals from Emma Main in the seventh minute of each half and Sabitra “Samba” Bhandari’s third of the season.
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Wellington’s first road win of the campaign has lifted the Nix from ninth to fourth on the ladder, ahead of the defending champion Central Coast Mariners on goal difference, and with a game in hand.
Bev Priestman made one change to the XI which started the 7-0 win over Sydney FC before Christmas with Lara Wall replacing fellow Football Fern Manaia Elliott at left wingback. New signing Emma Pijnenburg was named amongst the substitutes.
The Phoenix made a strong start and took the lead after just six minutes when they won possession high up the pitch.
Samba dragged a shot to the edge of the six yard box where Main steered it into the back of the net.
Sham Khamis made a good save in the 40th minute for the Wanderers, pushing a direct free kick from Grace Jale around the post after Main had been fouled outside the box.
Samba had the ball in the back of the net three minutes later but Main was flagged for offside in the lead-up and the goal wasn’t awarded.
It was the last meaningful goalmouth action of the first half.
The Nepalese striker turned provider four minutes later for Wellington’s third. She burst forward from halfway and then found Main on the edge of the six yard box. Main’s first time shot was partially saved before she tapped home into an empty net.
Emma Main’s second goal saw her draw level with Jale and Mariana Speckmaier at the top of the team’s all-time goalscoring chart.
Priestman made her second change moments later with Pijnenburg coming on to make her Phoenix debut in place of CJ Bott, who took a knock to the knee a few minutes earlier.
She made a further substitution shortly after the hour mark with Lucía León replacing Nunn.
Grace Jale came close to making it 4-0 in the 64th minute when she saw her snap volley drift narrowly wide of the left post.
Wanderers registered their first shot on target in the 85th minute from a direct free kick which was comfortably saved by Esson.
In front of her, centre backs Marisa van der Meer, Mackenzie Barry and Ellie Walker ensured Wellington’s goal wasn’t threatened and the Phoenix secured a third clean sheet of the season.
The Nix now turn their attention to Saturday night’s match against the Roar in Brisbane.
