The Wellington Phoenix women’s remarkable season could end in premiership glory after a brace from import striker Makala Woods secured an extra-time semi-final win over the Brisbane Roar to reach their first A-League grand final.
A record 5923 crowd attended Porirua Parkto witness Woods score the winner in the 102nd minute, putting the Phoenix 2-0 ahead on the day and up 3-2 on aggregate.
It is a historic moment for the Phoenix women as they become the first New Zealand football team – male or female – to make an Australian final.
Phoenix captain Mackenzie Barry said it was a surreal feeling knowing her side would be playing in the grand final.
“We’ve been working for this for five years,” Barry told Sky Sport. “I’m so happy, it’s hard to explain.
“It‘s overwhelming and I feel so proud of this club. We’ve gone through it, we’ve had two bottom of the table and now we’ve been building up and here we are in the final.
“We’re creating a legacy ... it’s hard for me to comprehend that we’ve made history, but it’s so amazing.”
Barry anchored the defence while the likes of Brooke Nunn and Manaia Elliott were crafty and creative with the ball at their feet.
The Phoenix entered the second leg trailing 2-1 on aggregate after last weekend’s first-leg defeat in Brisbane.
Phoenix player Makala Woods celebrates scoring against Brisbane. Photo / Photosport
Knowing they needed to score first to level the tie, the Phoenix came out aggressively and dominated possession early, but were unable to turn that control into clear-cut chances.
Roar forward Daisy Brown had a golden chance to give her side a two-goal buffer, but she was denied by Phoenix goalkeeper Vic Esson.
That turned out to be a crucial miss as the Phoenix struck moments later through Woods just before halftime, which levelled the match 2-2 on aggregate.
The goal came from nice work at the back, where the Phoenix won the ball before Pia Vlok played a through ball to Woods, who chipped Roar keeper Chloe Lincoln with her first touch.
In the second half, the Phoenix had a great chance to score again when the ball pinballed around the penalty box, but Woods’ strike went over the crossbar.
As the game progressed, tensions increased and opportunities were scarce, although both sides had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock.
Woods then had a chance to win it for the Phoenix in the 96th minute with the final kick of the game, but her shot was saved by Lincoln before getting the ball back to her feet. The rebound effort came off the post as the match went to extra time.
Woods then struck the winner when she pounced on a mistake made by the Brisbane defence, firing home the shot from just inside the box.
The result means the Phoenix will get to play for silverware in what has been a historic campaign.
Under first-year coach Bev Priestman, they made the finals for the first time, finishing second on the ladder with 34 points, surpassing their previous best of eighth.
Awaiting the Phoenix in the grand final on Saturday at AAMI Park are Melbourne City, a side they have never beaten.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
