‘Massive day’ for Phoenix after historic doubleheader in Wellington

Sky Stadium was the place to be on Sunday afternoon.

It was a Liberty A-League and Isuzu UTE A-League doubleheader in Wellington, where the Phoenix Women and Men’s teams both took to the field.

And it was the first time ever Phoenix celebrated a doubleheader of victories on home soil in Wellington as fans and players celebrated on the pitch afterwards.

“It’s a big day for the club,” Phoenix men’s captain Alex Rufer told Sky Sport New Zealand.

“Congratulations to the girls for winning 5-0. Hopefully they can continue because they’ve been really good this season. They’ve been a little unlucky.

“Massive day for the club and really proud to be here.”

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, the Phoenix women humbled Canberra United 5-0 in a Liberty A-League boilover.

The landslide triumph – behind a Betsy Hassett brace – was Wellington’s first of the 2022-23 campaign and their first since February last year.

Following that game, the Phoenix men held on to defeat second-placed Central Coast Mariners 2-1.

Goals from Rufer and Oskar Zawada sent the Phoenix to third in the standings thanks to a third consecutive win.