Annalie Longo of the Phoenix celebrates after scoring a goal against the Brisbane Roar in Wellington in November 2023. Photo / Photosport
By RNZ
The Wellington Phoenix women’s captain Annalie Longo has played her last game in the bright yellow strip.
The 33-year-old Football Fern received a standing ovation as she left Porirua Park for the final time in her side’s 1-1 final-round draw against Western United in the A-League.
Longo posted on social media pre-match that she was about to play her last game for the Wellington Phoenix women.
Longo also confirmed her plans in the post-match interview after the match played in atrocious wet and windy conditions.
“That is the last game for me, conditions here, the wind, the rain, and the Phoenix they say, we turned it on in Wellington,” Longo told SkySport.
“It took me to come off the pitch before the girls scored the goal, so they don’t need me.”
Wellington came back from a goal down thanks to an equaliser from Emma Main in the 80th minute.
Western United were unable to secure a home semifinal with the tied result.
Wellington coach Paul Temple was at the helm of the side for the last time.
The club announced during the week that Temple was not offered a new contract after two season’s of failing to make the A-league football playoffs.
“I think we want to say a big thank you to Paul [Temple], and we wish him all the best,” Longo said.
“I’m sure he’ll go on to bigger and more successful things.”
– RNZ
The Blues claimed a bonus-point win to get their season back on track.