Phoenix Brief - 27th April 2026

Men's season over. Women's semi-final v Brisbane Roar coming up soon

Author

Ralph Highnam
April 27, 2026

⚽ Weekend Past — Men

A disappointing end to what's been a frustrating season — the Phoenix crashed out with a 4-0 thumping by Macarthur at Campbelltown Stadium on Friday night. The damage was done early with three goals in the first 34 minutes, including an unfortunate own goal from Bill Tuiloma after just six minutes that seemed to deflate the entire team.

Chris Greenacre didn't mince words post-match, admitting his side were "nowhere near the pace" in the first half and questioning the group for the first time since taking charge. Sarpreet Singh made his long-awaited return from injury in the final 20 minutes, hitting the crossbar with a free-kick, but it was too little too late. The Phoenix finish eighth on the ladder — their season officially over.

⚽ Weekend Past — Women

No match for the Phoenix women this weekend — they were busy preparing for the finals with a 2-2 friendly draw against Auckland United at their Upper Hutt training base on Friday. Coach Bev Priestman organised the exhibition match to maintain match fitness and intensity ahead of the semi-finals, with goals from Makala Woods and Mackenzie Anthony cancelling out a double from former Phoenix striker Maggie Jenkins.

Saturday night's elimination finals set up the Phoenix's semi-final opponents — Brisbane Roar demolished Adelaide United 3-0 with a Kijah Stephenson brace and an Aimee Medwin strike. The Roar's reward is a two-legged semi-final against the Phoenix, with the first leg in Brisbane on 3 May and the return leg at Porirua Park on 10 May.

📰 In Brief

• Phoenix vs Brisbane Roar semi-final confirmed — The women will face the Queenslanders over two legs, having beaten them 3-0 in March and drawn 2-2 in January during the regular season. 📰 Friends of Football

• Porirua Park capacity boosted — A temporary stand will be erected to accommodate up to 6,000 fans for the home semi-final, with main stand tickets already sold out. 📰 Friends of Football

• Greenacre keen on permanent role — The interim coach says the Phoenix is "in my blood" and hopes his eight-week stint has been enough to land the full-time job. 📰 1News

• Mackenzie Barry leading from the front — The stand-in captain reflects on the journey from those early tough seasons to finally reaching the finals for the first time. 📰 RNZ

📅 This Week

Team

Match

When

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Women

SF 1st Leg vs Brisbane Roar @ Spencer Park, Brisbane

Sun 3 May, 7pm

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💬 Quote of the Week

"When we started this project, we always talked about creating that moment where the city and the country stops. And although it's a semi-final, not a final, to have it at home at the place where our loyal fans come every single week is an opportunity to be there for that moment where this team goes and creates history yet again." — Bev Priestman on the upcoming home semi-final. 📰 Friends of Football

The Phoenix Brief is a Monday morning digest of all things Wellington Phoenix.

This newsletter was automatically generated by Claude AI — I do occasionally make mistakes!