Wellington Phoenix are urging fans to secure tickets early for Sunday’s A-League Women semi-final at Porirua Park, with several seating allocations already exhausted ahead of the decisive second leg against Brisbane Roar.
Grandstand and temporary seating areas were listed as sold out on Friday, while embankment general admission tickets remain available from $10. The match kicks off, 2.30 p.m. on Sunday, May 10, at Porirua Park.
The Phoenix will return home needing a result after a 2-1 loss in Brisbane last weekend.
Wellington made the ideal start in the first leg, with forward Grace Jale heading home inside two minutes after a well-worked corner. The visitors had chances to build on the lead, including an effort from Makala Woods that struck the post and a header from Lucía León that drifted narrowly wide.
Brisbane responded quickly through captain Momo Hayashi before teenage striker Daisy Brown scored the winner midway through the second half.
Phoenix goalkeeper Vic Esson produced a series of key saves to keep Wellington in the contest, while defender Ellie Walker made an important goal-line clearance during a period of sustained pressure from the Roar.
Head coach Bev Priestman said her side had learned valuable lessons from the opening leg and backed the team to respond at home.
“It was a difficult game as we expected. We played a little bit into the way Brisbane played,” Priestman said.
“At the end of the day we switched off in moments and that’s what happens at the highest level against a good team.”
Despite the defeat, Priestman said the tie remained well within reach.
“It’s a one goal deficit. An early goal and the game’s back on and we’re at home.
“Now you learn a lot about people and players. The best teams respond and this is an opportunity to step up.”
The match at Porirua Park is shaping as one of the club’s biggest home fixtures in recent years, with the Phoenix targeting a crowd of about 6,000.
The winner on aggregate will advance to the A-League Women grand final.