Sydney FC travelled to Wellington to face a Phoenix side down on luck and results. What they found was a hungry, ruthless team, determined to turn their season around.
Wellington Phoenix opened the scoring inside three minutes. 17 year-old midfielder Pia Vlok struck the post, before Manaia Elliott arrived in at the back post to tuck in the rebound.
Nepalese international star Sabitra ‘Samba’ Bhandari grabbed her first goal of the season moments later, heading home a Brooke Nunn cross.
Sydney FC’s inability to clear a corner was the making of Wellington’s third goal, the ball eventually spilling to Grace Jale, who blasted it in from close range.
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It was a much less frenetic start to the second half, with Sydney offering a more organised defence. Still, the goals kept coming.
First, through Grace Jale again, this time rising high to head home a corner. Then Samba cooly finished a one-on-one chance against goalkeeper Tiahna Robertson.
Wellington’s sixth goal of the afternoon came when Sydney defender Tori Tumeth deflected Lara Wall’s low awkard cross past Robertson.
There would be more pain for Sydney FC, Spanish-Dominican winger Lucia León being allowed the space to drift in and make it seven.
