A-League Women: Wellington Phoenix lose 2-1 to Brisbane Roar in first leg of their semifinal

Sunday, 3 May 2026

Emma Pijnenburg of the Phoenix challenges Alicia Woods of the Roar during leg one of their semifinal in Brisbane.

Semifinal first leg at Spencer Park, Brisbane: Brisbane Roar 2 (Momo Hayashi 13’, Daisy Brown 73’) Wellington Phoenix 1 (Grace Jale 2’). HT: 1-1.

Wellington Phoenix will be banking on a packed Porirua Park next Sunday to help overturn a one-goal deficit after surrendering an early lead in the first leg of their A-League Women semifinal.

Brisbane Roar hold a 2-1 advantage after rallying from 1-0 down inside two minutes at Spencer Park, Brisbane on Sunday, an unfortunate deflection off captain Mackenzie Barry falling kindly to Daisy Brown midway through the second half.

The 19-year-old made no mistake, finishing from close range past Victoria Esson to edge Brisbane closer to the grand final.

While it took a slice of luck, the goal had been coming. After the sides went into halftime locked at 1-1, the Phoenix failed to register a shot in the second half and spent much of it under pressure as the Roar peppered Esson in goal.

Esson was outstanding, making seven saves including a fingertip stop to deny Ashlyn Miller, but her workload underlined Brisbane’s dominance.

Said Phoenix coach Bev Priestman: “It was a difficult game as we expected. We played a little bit how Brisbane play. The early part of the game we actually did a really good job but at the end of the day we switched off in moments and that's what happens at the highest level against a good team.

“I'm frustrated overall. In the moments we switched off I thought Brisbane were good but this is why we chose to go home and I’m really excited to see the response. Porirua Park is going to be bouncing and at the end of the day it's a one-goal deficit. An early goal in that game and we're back on.”

The Phoenix had not played for a month but made a flying start in their first finals appearance following a stirring team talk from pregnant captain CJ Bott. Grace Jale capped a big week — after being named the club’s player of the season and signing a new deal — by scoring inside two minutes.

Left unmarked at the back post, Jale headed home from Manaia Elliott’s cross in front of the travelling Wellington fans, moving clear of Mariana Speckmaier and Emma Main as the Phoenix’s all-time leading scorer with 11 goals.

They should have doubled their lead soon after, but Makala Woods shrugged off Ruby Cuthbert and raced through on goal, only to see her shot cannon off the post.

It proved costly, with the Phoenix unable to create a better chance.

Played at a frantic tempo, the match offered little control for either side on a bobbly surface.

Phoenix dangerwoman Brooke Nunn was kept quiet on the right wing. Although she regularly beat her defender while helping play out from the back, she was rarely involved in attacking positions.

Set-pieces dominated the early exchanges, with Roar captain Momo Hayashi cancelling out Jale’s opener with a header from a corner after catching the Phoenix defence napping with a run from deep.

The second half was all Brisbane. Their pressure was eventually rewarded when a cross brushed off Barry and landed kindly for Brown to score the winner.

Priestman looked to her bench, introducing 18-year-old debutant Mikaela Bangalan before turning to Lara Wall, Macey Fraser and Pia Vlok, who was named after a recovering from an ankle injury suffered during the international window.

But the Phoenix were unable to muster another clear opportunity, leaving them with work to do in the second leg at Porirua Park next Sunday afternoon (2.30pm kickoff).