The Wellington Phoenix women are in a do-or-die scenario to create club history and become the first club team, men's or women's, to make an A-League grand final.
To achieve the feat, they must come from 2-1 down in the aggregate scoreline when hosting Brisbane in leg two of their semifinal in Porirua on Sunday.
To preview the match, Adam Cooper spoke with Phoenix forward Lucía León.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
So it is a very exciting sporting weekend here in Wellington,
but particularly a massive occasion for the Wellington Phoenix club overall.
The women's side are bidding to become the first Phoenix
team men or women to make it into an A
League Grand Final. So they head into tomorrow's Leg two
semi final against Brisbane down two to one at the
(00:20):
halfway point of the semi final time. So we'll need
to come from behind for a victory at the very
least by one goal to push things into extra time
or shootouts, or of course win by two to take
out the semi final time. Big occasion two thirty tomorrow afternoon,
extra capacity for a crowd of around six thousand at
Potty to A Park tomorrow, which is absolutely amazing how
(00:41):
that well fortress of theirs will be transformed into a
big venue at a community grounds tomorrow. Ready looking forward
to it and as the team built up to the game,
I popped along to one of their fan events in
the Wellington CBD during the week. I caught up with
forward Lucilla Leon, who's been a crowd favorite this year.
Of course, she's the captain of the Dominican Republic women's
(01:01):
team been a key part of the Phoenix's success this season,
and I chatted to her about well rebounding from last
weekend's matchover in Brisbane and the excitement for the Second
League at home in the A League semi finals. Welly,
thanks for joining us big weekend to head for Wellington.
For this team. You made a decision to come all
the way out here.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
You're almost at that point now where what the team
set out to achieve at the start of the season
is about to be here the last hopefully couple of games.
Have you sort of reflected on your journey here so far.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Yeah, I think it's been really different for me. I've
been playing in a completely different position than what I've
ever done, so I think the Beth has trusted me
a lot in this new position for me and giving
me all the twos that I've needed to make it
a good season. I think the think I probably would
have wanted to give more and like goal to assisto.
(01:52):
So I'm still with that little sitting there, but I
am very excited this for these weeks, for these next
two weeks and hopefully we can progress and honestly I
would love to make history for this club. For sure.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Yeah nice if you had to trust yourself as well,
you see, big put trust on you.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
But how's that been for yourself adapting to a new position.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
No, yeah, I have, I have, I have, and and
I've had to watch like clips and videos of people
doing that position. And I look at the way that
Beth wants me to play and and she's very like,
she's very straightforward with what he wants to see as
a ten or as a nan and what we want
to do, the game plan and everything. So so for me, yeah,
it's just gaining confidence and being good on the on
(02:29):
the training ground, so then I can also be good
in the.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Match, saying you will hear today there's still a lot
of smiles on the faces, you know, you know, I
know you guys are taking the game seriously, but obviously
having having fun and being a good team morale is
a big part of the time.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's just super important for us. We
are a very gigile team. We have like lots of
different characters in the team, so so yeah that plays
a part. But then yeah, when we go into the
training field, it's all serious and we do we want
to do everything within ten properly and good communication. So yeah,
there is on to it, but there's also a lot
of right and and and and yeah and and efforts.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
Were they tough conversations after that game in prison?
Speaker 3 (03:08):
They were tough conversation in terms of like, as a group,
I think everyone individually, I think we've been honestly, we're
probably a little bit disappointed with individual performances. So there
wasn't like, there wasn't many like individual conversations about it,
but definitely as a team watching the review back and
watching everybody watch the game back and then we all
(03:29):
analyzed ourselves and the team and what went wrong or
what went well and everything. So so yeah, there was
there was good stuff from the game that we can take,
but definitely working for to make to get to win
this this weekend.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Have you been involved in the whole league playoffs before,
because I mean, I guess most people probably would be
quite happy with coming home and only being a.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Goal down, right, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Yeah, yeah, I've never been in this style of league before.
I've always been in the league where whatever you finished,
you finished, So this is quite cool. It's my first time,
and but yeah, it's the first time I do a
semi final like this where you're going back home. So
we were saying that it was that was talked about
whether we sort of played the first like home or
the first like away. And I think that this is
(04:10):
always the best decision to have the first leg away
and then when you come home, then whatever whatever happens
for us. I think only one go down is nothing
for us. We've scored three against them already before in
the league, so we can definitely do it again. And yeah,
with that crowd, I think it's gonna be amazing.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
It's gonna be are the strengths of the team that's
got you to this point the same strengths that can
win a playoff game. Is that sort of how you
can can win or is playoff football completely different?
Speaker 3 (04:36):
I think we're gonna still need everybody, uh definitely, the one,
the people on the bench, the stuff all in So
it's gonna be a team effort for sure. It does
take a little bit more maybe for playoffs, because there's
more nerves, there's more people watching these everyone. Everyone's eyes
are on these two games on the weekend. You know,
(04:57):
there's only four teams left, so so you're like, yeah,
like it's a privilege I love, I love to be
in here, but definitely a bit more nest than probably
a regular league game.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Have you got friends and family around the world they're
able to tune into the TV coverage?
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've got I've got friends literally everywhere,
so I've got to have some people that would have
to stay overnight in Europe. There's other people in others,
like in the r that at the time differs a
little bit better. But yeah, everyone will be watching and cheering.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
For you in your career. We've been around the world.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
As you said, when does Portido Park the atmosphere that's
been created for the team this season rank and your career, No.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
I said it earlier. It's like it's like number one,
Like I'm not even Yeah, Like I've been in many,
many leagues in the world, and I think Portia Wellington
Phoenix fans have been the best. Even my girlfriend told me,
like this has been the best crowd I've been when
I'm watching you, you know, like she loves us, he
loves to cheer and then she joins them every time
(05:52):
and it's just so fun and and yeah, I'm sure
they'll bring it up again on the weekend and we'll
make them very proud.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
Bibbs be re experienced coach. We know that.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Has she changed it all in the playoffs situations? Has
she got a bit more nerves or anything like that.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
No, No, Actually she's been great. She's been the same
as he's been this whole year. She's kept the same
like routines throughout the week. She's the same calm person
and like a bubbly person that she is. She's she's
great and and we've really enjoyed being with her this season.
So it's been she's not changed anything. So so yeah,
we're all doing our routines and whatever and whatever we
(06:29):
do for the weeks of preparing for the matches.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Yeah, and just finally, there'll be a lot of people
listening to our show on Saturday morning that are going
along to the game. What can they do the most
to help you and the team on Sunday afternoon?
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Yeah, just just make noise. Just every tackle we win,
make that noise, every every throw we win, make that
noise every corner, every everything. And we want noise. We
want Brisbane to feel uncomfortable. We want to show Brisbane
that this is our home, that they've come all the
way here and and they're going to struggle mentally, so yeah,
really really really excited to see them, and thank you
so much for the support that they're already given us
(07:00):
this season.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
All right, well, congrats on the season so far and
all the best for these next couple of weeks hopefully.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Thank you, Thank you so much. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Thank you for more from News Talks B Listen live
on air or online, and
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Keep our shows with you wherever you go with our
podcasts on iHeartRadio.
So it is a very exciting sporting weekend here in Wellington,
but particularly a massive occasion for the Wellington Phoenix club overall.
The women's side are bidding to become the first Phoenix
team men or women to make it into an A
League Grand Final. So they head into tomorrow's Leg two
semi final against Brisbane down two to one at the
(00:20):
halfway point of the semi final time. So we'll need
to come from behind for a victory at the very
least by one goal to push things into extra time
or shootouts, or of course win by two to take
out the semi final time. Big occasion two thirty tomorrow afternoon,
extra capacity for a crowd of around six thousand at
Potty to A Park tomorrow, which is absolutely amazing how
(00:41):
that well fortress of theirs will be transformed into a
big venue at a community grounds tomorrow. Ready looking forward
to it and as the team built up to the game,
I popped along to one of their fan events in
the Wellington CBD during the week. I caught up with
forward Lucilla Leon, who's been a crowd favorite this year.
Of course, she's the captain of the Dominican Republic women's
(01:01):
team been a key part of the Phoenix's success this season,
and I chatted to her about well rebounding from last
weekend's matchover in Brisbane and the excitement for the Second
League at home in the A League semi finals. Welly,
thanks for joining us big weekend to head for Wellington.
For this team. You made a decision to come all
the way out here.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
You're almost at that point now where what the team
set out to achieve at the start of the season
is about to be here the last hopefully couple of games.
Have you sort of reflected on your journey here so far.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Yeah, I think it's been really different for me. I've
been playing in a completely different position than what I've
ever done, so I think the Beth has trusted me
a lot in this new position for me and giving
me all the twos that I've needed to make it
a good season. I think the think I probably would
have wanted to give more and like goal to assisto.
(01:52):
So I'm still with that little sitting there, but I
am very excited this for these weeks, for these next
two weeks and hopefully we can progress and honestly I
would love to make history for this club. For sure.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Yeah nice if you had to trust yourself as well,
you see, big put trust on you.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
But how's that been for yourself adapting to a new position.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
No, yeah, I have, I have, I have, and and
I've had to watch like clips and videos of people
doing that position. And I look at the way that
Beth wants me to play and and she's very like,
she's very straightforward with what he wants to see as
a ten or as a nan and what we want
to do, the game plan and everything. So so for me, yeah,
it's just gaining confidence and being good on the on
(02:29):
the training ground, so then I can also be good
in the.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Match, saying you will hear today there's still a lot
of smiles on the faces, you know, you know, I
know you guys are taking the game seriously, but obviously
having having fun and being a good team morale is
a big part of the time.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's just super important for us. We
are a very gigile team. We have like lots of
different characters in the team, so so yeah that plays
a part. But then yeah, when we go into the
training field, it's all serious and we do we want
to do everything within ten properly and good communication. So yeah,
there is on to it, but there's also a lot
of right and and and and yeah and and efforts.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
Were they tough conversations after that game in prison?
Speaker 3 (03:08):
They were tough conversation in terms of like, as a group,
I think everyone individually, I think we've been honestly, we're
probably a little bit disappointed with individual performances. So there
wasn't like, there wasn't many like individual conversations about it,
but definitely as a team watching the review back and
watching everybody watch the game back and then we all
(03:29):
analyzed ourselves and the team and what went wrong or
what went well and everything. So so yeah, there was
there was good stuff from the game that we can take,
but definitely working for to make to get to win
this this weekend.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Have you been involved in the whole league playoffs before,
because I mean, I guess most people probably would be
quite happy with coming home and only being a.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Goal down, right, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Yeah, yeah, I've never been in this style of league before.
I've always been in the league where whatever you finished,
you finished, So this is quite cool. It's my first time,
and but yeah, it's the first time I do a
semi final like this where you're going back home. So
we were saying that it was that was talked about
whether we sort of played the first like home or
the first like away. And I think that this is
(04:10):
always the best decision to have the first leg away
and then when you come home, then whatever whatever happens
for us. I think only one go down is nothing
for us. We've scored three against them already before in
the league, so we can definitely do it again. And yeah,
with that crowd, I think it's gonna be amazing.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
It's gonna be are the strengths of the team that's
got you to this point the same strengths that can
win a playoff game. Is that sort of how you
can can win or is playoff football completely different?
Speaker 3 (04:36):
I think we're gonna still need everybody, uh definitely, the one,
the people on the bench, the stuff all in So
it's gonna be a team effort for sure. It does
take a little bit more maybe for playoffs, because there's
more nerves, there's more people watching these everyone. Everyone's eyes
are on these two games on the weekend. You know,
(04:57):
there's only four teams left, so so you're like, yeah,
like it's a privilege I love, I love to be
in here, but definitely a bit more nest than probably
a regular league game.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Have you got friends and family around the world they're
able to tune into the TV coverage?
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've got I've got friends literally everywhere,
so I've got to have some people that would have
to stay overnight in Europe. There's other people in others,
like in the r that at the time differs a
little bit better. But yeah, everyone will be watching and cheering.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
For you in your career. We've been around the world.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
As you said, when does Portido Park the atmosphere that's
been created for the team this season rank and your career, No.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
I said it earlier. It's like it's like number one,
Like I'm not even Yeah, Like I've been in many,
many leagues in the world, and I think Portia Wellington
Phoenix fans have been the best. Even my girlfriend told me,
like this has been the best crowd I've been when
I'm watching you, you know, like she loves us, he
loves to cheer and then she joins them every time
(05:52):
and it's just so fun and and yeah, I'm sure
they'll bring it up again on the weekend and we'll
make them very proud.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
Bibbs be re experienced coach. We know that.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Has she changed it all in the playoffs situations? Has
she got a bit more nerves or anything like that.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
No, No, Actually she's been great. She's been the same
as he's been this whole year. She's kept the same
like routines throughout the week. She's the same calm person
and like a bubbly person that she is. She's she's
great and and we've really enjoyed being with her this season.
So it's been she's not changed anything. So so yeah,
we're all doing our routines and whatever and whatever we
(06:29):
do for the weeks of preparing for the matches.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Yeah, and just finally, there'll be a lot of people
listening to our show on Saturday morning that are going
along to the game. What can they do the most
to help you and the team on Sunday afternoon?
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Yeah, just just make noise. Just every tackle we win,
make that noise, every every throw we win, make that
noise every corner, every everything. And we want noise. We
want Brisbane to feel uncomfortable. We want to show Brisbane
that this is our home, that they've come all the
way here and and they're going to struggle mentally, so yeah,
really really really excited to see them, and thank you
so much for the support that they're already given us
(07:00):
this season.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
All right, well, congrats on the season so far and
all the best for these next couple of weeks hopefully.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Thank you, Thank you so much. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Thank you for more from News Talks B Listen live
on air or online, and
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Keep our shows with you wherever you go with our
podcasts on iHeartRadio.
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