The Wellington Phoenix women are counting down to their debut appearance in the A-League playoffs, ahead of their two-leg semifinal against Brisbane Roar.
Adam Cooper was joined by Phoenix and Football Ferns goalkeeper Vic Esson to preview the two matches.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Newsb on Wellington's All Sport Breakfast twenty one away from
nine on exciting new found territory for the Wellington Phoenix
women this weekend their first ever playoff appearance in the
A League. Yeah, it's a two league semi final against
Brisbane Raw. Leg one over there in Brisbane tomorrow night
at seven our time, then back home for Leg two
at Pottydill Park next Sunday. Cannot wait for that one? Well,
(00:22):
let's go head into the Phoenix women's camp now and
lucky enough to be joined by their goalkeeper, of course's
experienced football fans goalkeeper too vic Esen Vic morning to you.
We had you in the studio. I remember the day
before the very first Phoenix women's game this season. There
was a lot of expectation around, given BF Priestsman's appointment
as coach, given the squad like yourself, she's assembles. I
(00:45):
guess now as you look at where you are, is
there already a sense of satisfaction of what's been achieved
this season with a made in playoff appearance, regardless of
what happens over these next couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Yeah, for sure. I think you know when you say
we came on the show at the start the season
that they'll seem like a real while will go. And
I think a lot's happened since then. But yeah, we're
we're satisfied. They're definitely hide and satisfied. We're happy with
the result, but you know, we did get pretty close
to winning the regular season, so there's a bit of
disappointment in that. But hopefully we can finish the season
(01:18):
on a high and go and win this thing.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
And it's been interesting how the last few weeks have
played out leading up to the semi finals. For you,
a big pause in the competition, a month without a
game competitively. Now you and some others were part of
the internationals in that window, others just stayed around team
base at the Phoenix. How has the side made efforts
to I guess realign after such a long time without
proper match play.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Yeah, the of the last couple of weeks, the team,
the players ever remained behind. They've had games of friendly
games to try and keep them ticking over, which has
been great. And then we had a match last week
all together when everyone was back, just to try and reset,
So I think that was really good for us. Sometimes
time off is good and sometimes time off can leave
(02:02):
you a little bit rusty. So yeah, I think that
match was pretty beneficial for us, and I think everyone's
ready to shift gears and you know, get going on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
You've had that break. But Brisbane have been in action.
They had a big three nil win in their elimination
final last week to get through to this game, and
I guess you could say have some momentum behind them.
Do you feel one team's had a more beneficial build
up to the semi final than the other or is
it evenly poisoned away?
Speaker 2 (02:27):
No, I don't think so. I think you could flip
it either way. You know, you could argue we're more wrested,
well we should be more wrested, but then Duck had
a recent game together. So I think the way finals
football works is that whoever turns up on the day
with the best mentality and the will to really want
to finish the game, then the other team that's going
to win.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
You look at your team through the season, some sad injuries,
some other personnel changes in and out, to how tough
has it been adapting to the roster changes, many out
of a lot of people's control through the campaign.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
It's definitely been a tough one with the injuries. You know,
we as players, we feel for those ones to have
suffered a couple of big injuries. And you know, CJ's
announcement was phenomenal. That's that's a much more upsiding announcements.
But the team just had to rally together and I
think the staff were great making sure everyone stayed tight,
(03:21):
the club recruiting players, which is a credit to them
for making sure that, you know, we kind of filled
some of the big shoes that were lost early on
in the season. So yeah, it has been tough for sure,
but you know, this is where the team really is tested,
and I think they've come together pretty well and we've
got ourselves into a position now we were still fighting
for the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Are the strengths of the team that you've got to
this point going to be the same strengths you rely
on to succeeds Now it's knockout football.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
I think it's going to take everyone. I know it
probably sounds a bit cliche, but you know finals football,
every team suffered injuries this year. I don't think anyone
been let off the hook, so it does take the
whole team. You know, the players and a still helping
us immensely in the background. And you know, we're still
(04:09):
still got some new ish players in the team and
they're helping us as well. So yeah, it will honestly
take everyone on the next couple of weekends to make
sure that we get through to the very end.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Now, Vick, you've had a lot of footballing success through
your career, most notably in your time at Glasgow when
you won many trophies. So what kind of inspiration or
advice are you passing on to maybe some of the
younger players in the Phoenix who for them it's the
first time in a professional playoff scenario.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Yeah, it's funny you say that. I think by the
time you get to my age, you've you know, hopefully
been in a couple of finals or a few high
pressure events. But yeah, as you say, there's a few
who this is probably the first one p of lock.
She's she's had a few important games, but you know
these will be right up there, I think for her.
(04:59):
So yeah, I think it's about keeping the spirits high
amongst the team, sharing a bit of wisdom where you
can with you know, the penalty shootout, like you know,
chance and that sort of thing, but everyone's pretty switched on.
I think the young ones that are a different breed.
They you know, they've got bucket loads of confidence, which
is awesome, and I'm sure that they'll help us to
(05:21):
get the wins.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
You and Brisbane during the season a draw and then
a three nerl win over them, expecting much different from
them compared to the regular season. I imagine you're pretty
happy with the results over them across those two games.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Yeah, they were missing a few players, a fe're their
key players, i'd say in the second round, so I
think the first time we've played them might be a
little bit more reflective of the team they are at
the moment with those returning players from injury, and also
there are summer way for international breaks. So yeah, I
think we're going to get a pretty strong Brisbane, but look,
(05:56):
we're strong too. We hope that we're going to cause
them some problems and make their lives pretty tough as well.
So yeah, we're we realize what they're capable of, but
I'm sure they'll be realizing what we're capable of at
the same time.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
And I know you'll all be excited already to be
back for that game and potty to a next Sunday
for leg two. But is there a different focus for
each game that the mentality difference is for away versus
a home match up.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Yeah, definitely. It's it's a slightly different set up to
a normal game, isn't it, Because we never usually get
to play two games back to back against the same
team for club football, So you know, there's many ways
to approach it with you go. You know, look, it's
two games, or it's one big game with a half
time break in the middle, but the first leg, but
(06:48):
no matter what happens, it's that second game that you
know can make or break it. So yeah, we've we've
just got a knuckle down and make sure that we
start strong, but then inde even stronger.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
You mentioned Beev before. I see the team got together
and celebrated her milestone birthday during the week, even though
it's a busy week for the team. I guess it
shows how much Bev means to the players as coach
when you make a big deal about it at say training.
I mean that's the impression I got from watching one
of the two of the clips of it.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Yeah, I haven't actually seen the clips I'm not sure
what's out there, but look, we had a pretty good
laugh yesterday. We all made fun of Bev, and she's
good at making fun of herself as well. But I think,
as she said, all she wants for her fortieth birthday
is when on the weekend. So hopefully we can deliver that.
And yeah, that always helps to drive happiness with and
(07:39):
the team, doesn't it as a winning team is often
a happy team. So let's hope we can do it
on the weekend.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Fingers crossed. You mentioned before, Vick, with playoffs scenarios like
shootouts do come into the mix. As a goalkeeper, how
much extra pressure do you feel when it gets to
this point of the season when letting in goals means
more than just dropping a couple of points on the table.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Yeah, there's there's little room for error, i'd say at
the moment. But these are the games that we've been
fighting for the entire season. You know. We train every
single day and and play on the weekend to be
in a position where we can play when it when
it really really counts. And that's the position we'll get
ourselves now. So we just need to roll off our
sleeves and get stuck in and yeah, there's always pressure
(08:23):
with all the games, I think, but these ones are
these ones are going to be great.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
And does a goalkeeper's mindset change at this.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Point, No, not not necessarily. We try and in my
philosophy for the game is try and keep it there
on the back of my net and whatever happens, you
just got to try and keep the game winnable. So
if you if you do concede one, you just can't
concede another. And that's the approach that that I think
I'll have gone into these games. But yeah, ideally we
(08:51):
don't concede anything and make it tough for the Strikers
to score against us.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
And just before you go back and for people listening
here and willing this morning who might be around next
weekend when the game is on and Potty Door for
the return match, how much will it mean to the
team having a huge loud Wellington support base there for
that the Phoenix at Potty Deer Park next Sunday.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
Yeah, the fans have been awesome this year. You know,
we speak a lot about the players and the coaching staff,
but the fans are huge and they've turned out every
single week at prior Park, including Central Coast against Central
Coach who was absolutely teeming it down. That was a
horrific game to play in and probably an even harder
game to watch, So thank you so much everyone who's
(09:34):
supported us one Berglass push for the end of the season.
Let's sell out poyor or A Park and make it
a really difficult place for Brisbane to come and play.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Absolutely can't wait for that, but a big game tomorrow first, Lee, Vic,
thanks for your time as always here on Newstalks. That'd
be great to chat Wishing you all the very best
for League One and of course whatever happens next weekend
as well, So thanks for your time, Thank you so much.
Here's Vickys and Wellington Phoenix women's goalkeeper fighting for them
seven o'clock tomorrow night in Brisbane, then Sunday week at
(10:04):
pottydo A Park two legs of their semi final. For
more from News Talk set B listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
Newsb on Wellington's All Sport Breakfast twenty one away from
nine on exciting new found territory for the Wellington Phoenix
women this weekend their first ever playoff appearance in the
A League. Yeah, it's a two league semi final against
Brisbane Raw. Leg one over there in Brisbane tomorrow night
at seven our time, then back home for Leg two
at Pottydill Park next Sunday. Cannot wait for that one? Well,
(00:22):
let's go head into the Phoenix women's camp now and
lucky enough to be joined by their goalkeeper, of course's
experienced football fans goalkeeper too vic Esen Vic morning to you.
We had you in the studio. I remember the day
before the very first Phoenix women's game this season. There
was a lot of expectation around, given BF Priestsman's appointment
as coach, given the squad like yourself, she's assembles. I
(00:45):
guess now as you look at where you are, is
there already a sense of satisfaction of what's been achieved
this season with a made in playoff appearance, regardless of
what happens over these next couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Yeah, for sure. I think you know when you say
we came on the show at the start the season
that they'll seem like a real while will go. And
I think a lot's happened since then. But yeah, we're
we're satisfied. They're definitely hide and satisfied. We're happy with
the result, but you know, we did get pretty close
to winning the regular season, so there's a bit of
disappointment in that. But hopefully we can finish the season
(01:18):
on a high and go and win this thing.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
And it's been interesting how the last few weeks have
played out leading up to the semi finals. For you,
a big pause in the competition, a month without a
game competitively. Now you and some others were part of
the internationals in that window, others just stayed around team
base at the Phoenix. How has the side made efforts
to I guess realign after such a long time without
proper match play.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Yeah, the of the last couple of weeks, the team,
the players ever remained behind. They've had games of friendly
games to try and keep them ticking over, which has
been great. And then we had a match last week
all together when everyone was back, just to try and reset,
So I think that was really good for us. Sometimes
time off is good and sometimes time off can leave
(02:02):
you a little bit rusty. So yeah, I think that
match was pretty beneficial for us, and I think everyone's
ready to shift gears and you know, get going on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
You've had that break. But Brisbane have been in action.
They had a big three nil win in their elimination
final last week to get through to this game, and
I guess you could say have some momentum behind them.
Do you feel one team's had a more beneficial build
up to the semi final than the other or is
it evenly poisoned away?
Speaker 2 (02:27):
No, I don't think so. I think you could flip
it either way. You know, you could argue we're more wrested,
well we should be more wrested, but then Duck had
a recent game together. So I think the way finals
football works is that whoever turns up on the day
with the best mentality and the will to really want
to finish the game, then the other team that's going
to win.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
You look at your team through the season, some sad injuries,
some other personnel changes in and out, to how tough
has it been adapting to the roster changes, many out
of a lot of people's control through the campaign.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
It's definitely been a tough one with the injuries. You know,
we as players, we feel for those ones to have
suffered a couple of big injuries. And you know, CJ's
announcement was phenomenal. That's that's a much more upsiding announcements.
But the team just had to rally together and I
think the staff were great making sure everyone stayed tight,
(03:21):
the club recruiting players, which is a credit to them
for making sure that, you know, we kind of filled
some of the big shoes that were lost early on
in the season. So yeah, it has been tough for sure,
but you know, this is where the team really is tested,
and I think they've come together pretty well and we've
got ourselves into a position now we were still fighting
for the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Are the strengths of the team that you've got to
this point going to be the same strengths you rely
on to succeeds Now it's knockout football.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
I think it's going to take everyone. I know it
probably sounds a bit cliche, but you know finals football,
every team suffered injuries this year. I don't think anyone
been let off the hook, so it does take the
whole team. You know, the players and a still helping
us immensely in the background. And you know, we're still
(04:09):
still got some new ish players in the team and
they're helping us as well. So yeah, it will honestly
take everyone on the next couple of weekends to make
sure that we get through to the very end.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Now, Vick, you've had a lot of footballing success through
your career, most notably in your time at Glasgow when
you won many trophies. So what kind of inspiration or
advice are you passing on to maybe some of the
younger players in the Phoenix who for them it's the
first time in a professional playoff scenario.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Yeah, it's funny you say that. I think by the
time you get to my age, you've you know, hopefully
been in a couple of finals or a few high
pressure events. But yeah, as you say, there's a few
who this is probably the first one p of lock.
She's she's had a few important games, but you know
these will be right up there, I think for her.
(04:59):
So yeah, I think it's about keeping the spirits high
amongst the team, sharing a bit of wisdom where you
can with you know, the penalty shootout, like you know,
chance and that sort of thing, but everyone's pretty switched on.
I think the young ones that are a different breed.
They you know, they've got bucket loads of confidence, which
is awesome, and I'm sure that they'll help us to
(05:21):
get the wins.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
You and Brisbane during the season a draw and then
a three nerl win over them, expecting much different from
them compared to the regular season. I imagine you're pretty
happy with the results over them across those two games.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Yeah, they were missing a few players, a fe're their
key players, i'd say in the second round, so I
think the first time we've played them might be a
little bit more reflective of the team they are at
the moment with those returning players from injury, and also
there are summer way for international breaks. So yeah, I
think we're going to get a pretty strong Brisbane, but look,
(05:56):
we're strong too. We hope that we're going to cause
them some problems and make their lives pretty tough as well.
So yeah, we're we realize what they're capable of, but
I'm sure they'll be realizing what we're capable of at
the same time.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
And I know you'll all be excited already to be
back for that game and potty to a next Sunday
for leg two. But is there a different focus for
each game that the mentality difference is for away versus
a home match up.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Yeah, definitely. It's it's a slightly different set up to
a normal game, isn't it, Because we never usually get
to play two games back to back against the same
team for club football, So you know, there's many ways
to approach it with you go. You know, look, it's
two games, or it's one big game with a half
time break in the middle, but the first leg, but
(06:48):
no matter what happens, it's that second game that you
know can make or break it. So yeah, we've we've
just got a knuckle down and make sure that we
start strong, but then inde even stronger.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
You mentioned Beev before. I see the team got together
and celebrated her milestone birthday during the week, even though
it's a busy week for the team. I guess it
shows how much Bev means to the players as coach
when you make a big deal about it at say training.
I mean that's the impression I got from watching one
of the two of the clips of it.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Yeah, I haven't actually seen the clips I'm not sure
what's out there, but look, we had a pretty good
laugh yesterday. We all made fun of Bev, and she's
good at making fun of herself as well. But I think,
as she said, all she wants for her fortieth birthday
is when on the weekend. So hopefully we can deliver that.
And yeah, that always helps to drive happiness with and
(07:39):
the team, doesn't it as a winning team is often
a happy team. So let's hope we can do it
on the weekend.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Fingers crossed. You mentioned before, Vick, with playoffs scenarios like
shootouts do come into the mix. As a goalkeeper, how
much extra pressure do you feel when it gets to
this point of the season when letting in goals means
more than just dropping a couple of points on the table.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Yeah, there's there's little room for error, i'd say at
the moment. But these are the games that we've been
fighting for the entire season. You know. We train every
single day and and play on the weekend to be
in a position where we can play when it when
it really really counts. And that's the position we'll get
ourselves now. So we just need to roll off our
sleeves and get stuck in and yeah, there's always pressure
(08:23):
with all the games, I think, but these ones are
these ones are going to be great.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
And does a goalkeeper's mindset change at this.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Point, No, not not necessarily. We try and in my
philosophy for the game is try and keep it there
on the back of my net and whatever happens, you
just got to try and keep the game winnable. So
if you if you do concede one, you just can't
concede another. And that's the approach that that I think
I'll have gone into these games. But yeah, ideally we
(08:51):
don't concede anything and make it tough for the Strikers
to score against us.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
And just before you go back and for people listening
here and willing this morning who might be around next
weekend when the game is on and Potty Door for
the return match, how much will it mean to the
team having a huge loud Wellington support base there for
that the Phoenix at Potty Deer Park next Sunday.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
Yeah, the fans have been awesome this year. You know,
we speak a lot about the players and the coaching staff,
but the fans are huge and they've turned out every
single week at prior Park, including Central Coast against Central
Coach who was absolutely teeming it down. That was a
horrific game to play in and probably an even harder
game to watch, So thank you so much everyone who's
(09:34):
supported us one Berglass push for the end of the season.
Let's sell out poyor or A Park and make it
a really difficult place for Brisbane to come and play.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Absolutely can't wait for that, but a big game tomorrow first, Lee, Vic,
thanks for your time as always here on Newstalks. That'd
be great to chat Wishing you all the very best
for League One and of course whatever happens next weekend
as well, So thanks for your time, Thank you so much.
Here's Vickys and Wellington Phoenix women's goalkeeper fighting for them
seven o'clock tomorrow night in Brisbane, then Sunday week at
(10:04):
pottydo A Park two legs of their semi final. For
more from News Talk set B listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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