Wellington Phoenix head coach Paul Temple has laid down a challenge to the club’s supporter base to replicate last season’s “amazing” home atmosphere in the 2024-25 Ninja A-League campaign.
The Phoenix lost just three of 11 home games last season at Sky Stadium, Porirua Park and Go Media Stadium; the majority of Wellington’s home fixtures took place at Porirua Park which became somewhat of a fortress for Temple’s side.
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Speaking ahead of the new campaign, Temple put much of the team’s home success down to the fans who combined to create an atmosphere that drove momentum for the ‘Nix, and urged the club’s supporters to show up in strong numbers to drive a similar trend in 2024-25.
“We really want the fans, the Yellow Fever, family, friends, to make that the fortress it was last season,” Temple said.
“We owe a lot to them for the atmosphere that was created there, and we need that to continue again. I want people to come back out and support the team, because when we had that noise we had the fans there it was just an amazing place to play.
“I think the players loved it. It created energy, we really thrived off that energy, and it led to a lot of good results. We also had a good home record. So yeah, let’s try and repeat the same for this season.”
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Wellington finished eighth in Temple’s first game at the helm, with the club’s easily identifiable “small ball” style of play, which relied on retaining possession and exploiting space through short passes and quick ball movement.
Temple says there’ll be an “evolution” to the club’s style of play this season, with an emphasis on playing out from the back and utilising the ball skills equipped by the club’s new goalkeeper, Carolina Vilão.
“We’ve brought in some players like that can help us in terms of our style of play,” he said. “Everyone that we’ve recruited is to blend with what we’ve been doing and to add value to it.
“I’d like us to be a team that can continue to play that kind of short passing game, but evolution means maybe more from the back and from out from the goalkeeper, to be more aggressive and high pressing as well, and win the ball back a bit quicker.
“But we still want to be efficient and effective. So it’s creating chances and exciting football that the fans can appreciate when they come and watch.”
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Vilāo is one of nine new Phoenix signings ahead of the new season, along with Olivia Fergusson, Aimee Danieli (scholarship contract), Ella McMillan (scholarship contract), Ela Jerez (scholarship contract), Ella McCann (scholarship contract), Grace Jale, Maya McCutcheon, Lara Wall (scholarship contract) and Mebae Tanaka.
But with all the new arrivals at the club, one of the most important pieces of off-season business was the re-signing of captain Annalie Longo, the experienced Football Fern who, after an injury-impacted campaign, is fit and raring to go for an impactful season at the ‘Nix.
The 33-year-old New Zealand international made her long-awaited debut for the club in November and capped the bow with a goal before going on to play a further 12 games prior to an Achilles injury that cut short her season.
“(Last season) was a little bit tough for her, especially at the back end of the season,” Temple said. “So I was so pleased for her to see her play at the Olympics, and I thought she did really well at the Olympics.
“She’s a massive player. She’s tried and tested and very experienced, but she’s just still a really high-quality footballer and has a really good brain.
“We’re working really well together, and I think she suits the style that we want to play, but also, really buys into it and wants to be successful. So there’s a real buy-in from her around how we play the game and I think that’s important.
“She’s the captain, and she really gets that message across to the group. So she’s really important, and she’s in brilliant shape. She’s really worked hard in the off-season as well. So yeah, fingers crossed – if she can if she plays every game, I’ll be delighted.”
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Longo, who will lead the Phoenix once more in the 2024-25 season, says the club’s off-season recruitment shows the club’s intention to improve on an eighth-place finish and drive toward the Finals Series in the new campaign.
“I think there’s a unique balance to the team,” Longo said.
“In terms of internationals coming in, we’ve got some nice flare. I think Carolina (Vilāo) in goal really helps us in the style we want to play. She’s silky with her feet and (has) got great distribution. I think she’ll be a key asset for us.
“Players like Maya (McCutcheon) and Liv (Fergusson) have fitted in and slotted in really nicely, and I think will definitely add to the calibre of players we have here in New Zealand as well.
“I think it’s a nice mix. We’ve got a good blend. We’ve got players that have played in the A-League now (for) two or three years and are feeling experienced and comfortable.
“And hopefully we have a few breakout seasons for players, and we see some incredible talent come through.”
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