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Perth Glory's Finals Hopes Dented by Wellington Phoenix Loss

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, February 6th 2026 at 1:39 GMT by The West Australian
      Locales: AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND

Canberra, ACT - February 6th, 2026 - Perth Glory's aspirations for a finals berth in the A-League Women's competition suffered a significant blow on Saturday as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against the Wellington Phoenix at McKellar Park. A solitary strike from Makala Woods proved decisive, leaving Glory clinging precariously to a playoff position.

The result casts a shadow over Perth's season, placing increased pressure on upcoming matches as they battle to secure a top-four finish. Entering the contest in fifth place, Glory now find themselves vulnerable to being overtaken by Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC, both of whom boast games in hand - a crucial factor as the season reaches its critical stage.

Coach Alex Epainia opted for a couple of changes to the starting eleven that secured a draw against Brisbane Roar the previous week. Claudia Ramirez replaced Sienna Dowse, while Libby Davy took the place of Paige Richards, demonstrating Epainia's willingness to rotate the squad in search of optimal performance. However, the tactical adjustments proved insufficient to overcome a determined Phoenix outfit.

The first half unfolded as a tightly contested affair, lacking the attacking fluidity typically associated with the A-League Women. Both teams struggled to carve out meaningful scoring opportunities, with midfield battles and defensive solidity taking precedence. Clear-cut chances were few and far between, resulting in a largely uneventful 45 minutes.

However, the game sprang to life shortly after the interval. The Wellington Phoenix emerged from the halftime break with renewed vigour and purpose, immediately taking the initiative. This increased intensity paid dividends in the 58th minute when Makala Woods unleashed a low, powerful shot that nestled beyond the reach of Glory goalkeeper Emily Blanch. The goal injected a sense of urgency into the match, forcing Glory to chase the equalizer.

Perth responded with a sustained period of pressure, attempting to breach Wellington's defence. Despite their efforts, the Phoenix's backline remained resolute, effectively thwarting Glory's attacks and limiting them to hopeful long-range efforts. The Wellington defence, led by a composed central partnership, denied Glory the space and opportunities they needed to restore parity.

"We're really disappointed," a visibly frustrated Epainia stated after the match. "We've given away a really poor goal, which we didn't defend well enough. It was a lapse in concentration that proved costly. We've got to be better than that, defensively more organized and quicker to react to danger."

Epainia acknowledged his team's inability to capitalize on their attacking opportunities. "We had a couple of opportunities to get back in the game but we didn't take them. We need to be more clinical in front of goal, to convert those chances into goals. That's the difference between winning and losing at this level."

The coach confirmed the team would be undertaking a thorough video analysis session to pinpoint the areas where improvements are needed. "We're going to have to look at the video and see where we went wrong. We need to identify the mistakes, understand why they happened, and work on correcting them in training."

Looking Ahead: A Crucial Fixture Looms

Glory's next assignment sees them face Canberra United next Saturday. This match represents a pivotal moment in their season. A win is almost essential to reignite their finals hopes, while another defeat would likely extinguish them entirely. Canberra United themselves are battling for playoff contention, adding extra spice to the encounter. The match promises to be a hard-fought contest, with both teams desperate for three points.

The loss to Wellington highlights the increasing competitiveness of the A-League Women's competition. The league is becoming more balanced, with several teams capable of challenging for the title. Perth Glory will need to rediscover their early-season form and demonstrate greater consistency if they are to navigate the remaining fixtures and secure a coveted spot in the finals series. The pressure is mounting, and the stakes are high as the season enters its final stretch.