Bev Priestman’s Wellington Phoenix secured their first victory of the 2026–27 Ninja A-League Women season with a gritty 2–0 win over Adelaide United. Tameka Yallop and Indiah-Paige Riley delivered the goals, but teenage goalkeeper Brooke Neary and a determined defensive display were just as important in a match that raised questions about Adelaide’s attacking efficiency.
Sometimes, you just have to find a way to win.
For Wellington Phoenix, Saturday afternoon’s 2–0 victory over Adelaide United at ServiceFM Stadium was not particularly pretty, nor was it an exhibition of attacking football. In fact, for long periods, Bev Priestman’s side were hanging on against an Adelaide team that looked increasingly likely to find an equaliser.
And yet, when the final whistle sounded, it was the visitors celebrating their first win of the 2026–27 Ninja A-League Women season.
Goals from Tameka Yallop and Indiah-Paige Riley, scored 73 minutes apart, secured three valuable points for Wellington Phoenix. More importantly, the result offered some much-needed encouragement after a difficult opening to the campaign.
The good news for Adelaide United? Theo Tsiounis’s side enjoyed plenty of possession, created opportunities and generally looked comfortable moving the ball into attacking areas.
The bad news? None of that mattered when it came to the final score.
And that is the fascinating contradiction at the heart of this match. Wellington Phoenix were arguably second-best for much of the afternoon, but were significantly better when it mattered most.
Yallop Gives Wellington Phoenix the Perfect Start
There is something reassuring about having an experienced international footballer who can produce a moment of quality when the rest of the team is still finding its rhythm.
For Wellington Phoenix, that player was Tameka Yallop.
The Australian international opened the scoring in the 15th minute, finishing an attacking move involving Brooke Nunn and Makala Woods with a wonderful left-footed effort into the top corner.
Woods was credited with the assist, but the quality of Yallop’s finish deserves particular attention. From a central position inside the penalty area, she demonstrated the composure and technical ability that can make the difference in tight matches.
It was Wellington’s first significant breakthrough, and one that completely changed the complexion of the afternoon.
Adelaide had already threatened through Emily Hodgson, whose tenth-minute effort was blocked, but suddenly the home side found themselves chasing the game.
The Reds responded reasonably well.
Paige Zois tried her luck from distance shortly after the opening goal, while Kiera Meyers and Chelsie Dawber both forced saves from Wellington goalkeeper Brooke Neary before half-time.
Lara Gooch was particularly involved in Adelaide’s attacking play, supplying the passes for both opportunities.
But Wellington were not entirely retreating into their own half. Woods remained a lively attacking presence, forcing Ilona Melegh into a save in the 31st minute before heading wide from Milly Clegg’s cross four minutes later.
For all Adelaide’s possession, the Phoenix had enough attacking quality to remind the hosts that committing players forward came with risks.
At half-time, Wellington led 1–0.
The challenge was keeping it that way.
Brooke Neary Makes Her Opportunity Count
Perhaps the most interesting individual storyline from Wellington Phoenix’s victory was not one of the goalscorers.
It was Brooke Neary.
Priestman made four changes to her starting XI, including the decision to select the teenage goalkeeper ahead of experienced Football Fern Vic Esson.
That is a significant call for any manager, particularly one searching for a first league victory.
Goalkeeping selections can be unforgiving. An experienced international offers familiarity and reassurance, while a younger goalkeeper might bring exciting potential but less exposure to the pressures of senior football.
On Saturday, Neary justified her opportunity.
The youngster finished with four saves and a clean sheet, helping Wellington survive a second half in which Adelaide repeatedly threatened to get themselves back into the contest.
Her save from Lara Gooch in the 52nd minute was particularly important, arriving during a period when the Reds were beginning to build momentum.
Neary was also called upon by Carina Rossi late in the match, maintaining her concentration even after Wellington had doubled their advantage.
Of course, one impressive performance does not automatically settle a goalkeeper selection debate.
But it certainly strengthens Neary’s case.
For Priestman, the emergence of another reliable option is particularly encouraging as Wellington’s squad availability improves. Competition for places can be uncomfortable for established players, but it is exactly what a developing team needs.
And for Neary, this was the sort of afternoon that can accelerate a young goalkeeper’s confidence.
Adelaide United’s Possession Problem
There is an understandable temptation to look at Adelaide United’s performance and conclude that the Reds were unlucky.
After all, they controlled 56.6% of possession, completed 297 passes compared with Wellington’s 196, and finished with 11 shots to the visitors’ 10.
Both teams registered four shots on target.
But possession statistics can sometimes disguise more than they reveal.
Adelaide had plenty of the ball, yet they were unable to turn that territorial advantage into a meaningful advantage on the scoreboard.
The defining moment arrived in the 65th minute.
Substitute Tessa Salvestrin, introduced eight minutes earlier, delivered a cross that found Adriana Taranto inside the six-yard box. Her right-footed effort struck the left post, denying Adelaide what would have been a deserved equaliser.
Just one minute later, Salvestrin herself dragged a shot wide.
Two opportunities. No goals.
It was a frustrating sequence that summed up Adelaide’s afternoon.
The Reds were finding openings, particularly after introducing fresh attacking players, but their finishing lacked the precision needed to punish Wellington.
Interestingly, the final shot statistics suggest this was not quite the one-sided attacking performance that the possession figures might imply.
Wellington were only outshot by one attempt.
That distinction matters.
Adelaide were not necessarily creating an overwhelming number of opportunities. Rather, they were enjoying longer spells of control without consistently translating that possession into clear-cut chances.
For Tsiounis, the challenge is finding a better balance between retaining the ball and creating dangerous shooting opportunities.
There is plenty to work with.
But until Adelaide become more ruthless inside the penalty area, performances like this will continue to produce frustrating results.
Priestman’s Half-Time Changes Show Their Value
One of the more intriguing decisions came at the interval, when Priestman made three substitutions despite Wellington holding a 1–0 lead.
Manaia Elliott, Emma Main and Indiah-Paige Riley replaced Kamila Pickett, Pia Vlok and Milly Clegg.
It was a bold move.
Adelaide were already enjoying spells of possession, and changing three players simultaneously risked disrupting Wellington’s organisation.
Instead, the substitutions eventually helped deliver the victory.
Main forced Melegh into a save almost immediately after the restart, while Elliott and Riley combined for Wellington’s decisive second goal.
With Adelaide pushing for an equaliser, Elliott supplied Riley in the 88th minute, and the substitute finished confidently from the centre of the penalty area.
Game over.
It was an excellent example of how substitutions can influence a match beyond simply providing fresh legs.
Riley offered Wellington another attacking outlet, while Elliott’s contribution demonstrated the importance of having players capable of producing decisive moments late in games.
For Priestman, whose squad has experienced availability problems during the opening weeks, the impact of her bench was particularly welcome.
A deeper, healthier squad gives her more tactical flexibility.
And if Saturday is any indication, Wellington’s substitutes are ready to make their case for additional minutes.
Wellington Phoenix Had to Defend for Their Lives
Priestman was refreshingly candid about her team’s performance afterwards.
“Adelaide threw a lot at us in the second half; we had to defend for our lives at times,” she admitted.
“We just had to find a way to win and be patient. People put their bodies on the line and found that way to win.”
That assessment feels appropriate.
Wellington were not in complete control, nor did they produce a flawless defensive performance. Adelaide’s opportunities, particularly the effort against the woodwork, demonstrated that the Phoenix remain vulnerable when opponents sustain pressure.
But there is something valuable about winning a match in which everything does not go according to plan.
Good teams need different ways to collect points.
Sometimes that means dominating possession and overwhelming opponents with attacking quality. On other occasions, it means defending stubbornly, trusting your goalkeeper and taking the opportunities that arrive.
Saturday was very much the latter.
And after a difficult start to the campaign, Priestman was understandably delighted.
“The three points mean everything today,” she said.
“We know that we’re getting going, we’re probably starting a bit slower than we’d liked.”
The Wellington Phoenix head coach also suggested that improving player availability should strengthen the squad over the coming weeks.
That could prove particularly important as the season develops.
The Phoenix have now demonstrated they can win without controlling a match. The next challenge is producing performances where their defensive resilience is accompanied by more sustained attacking pressure.
What Comes Next for Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United?
For Wellington Phoenix, the immediate focus shifts to their return to Porirua Park, where they will host Sydney next weekend.
It is an opportunity to build on their first victory and potentially establish some genuine early-season momentum.
Yallop’s quality, Riley’s impact from the bench and Neary’s encouraging performance offer Priestman several positives to carry forward.
However, the Phoenix cannot expect to spend extended periods defending their own penalty area every week and consistently emerge victorious.
The next stage of their development must involve greater control.
For Adelaide United, the frustration is different.
Tsiounis’s team showed enough attacking intent to suggest they can cause opponents problems, but their inability to convert promising situations ultimately undermined an otherwise competitive display.
The Reds will also be conscious that their head-to-head record against Wellington now stands at six victories apiece.
There is very little separating these clubs historically, and Saturday’s contest reinforced that competitive balance, even if the final score suggested a more comfortable Wellington victory.
Ultimately, this was a match about two teams confronting different challenges.
Adelaide United need to discover how to turn possession into goals.
Wellington Phoenix need to discover how to turn one gritty victory into consistent results.
The good news for Priestman is that her players have finally put three points on the board.
The challenge now? Proving that this was the beginning of something rather than simply a welcome afternoon of relief.
Because defending for your lives might win you one match.
Learning when you no longer have to could be what takes Wellington Phoenix to the next level.
