![\"Grace](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4JP74WV_20260503196023488543_original_jpg.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nPhoenix fans celebrate an early goal by Grace Jale against Brisbane.
\nPhoto: AAP\/Photosport\n<\/p>\n
Wellington Phoenix will need to overcome a one-goal deficit at home, if they hope to progress to the A-League women’s final.<\/p>\n
The Phoenix return home to Porirua for next week’s semi-final return leg, trailing Brisbane Roar 2-1, after their opening encounter across the Tasman.<\/p>\n
Wellington needed only two minutes to grab an early advantage, when Grace Jale soared above her rivals in the goalmouth to head home a corner from Manaia Elliott.<\/p>\n
Two minutes later, American forward Makala Woods somewhat squandered a chance to extend the lead, bursting clear with just the keeper to beat, but driving her shot into the right post, before Spaniard Lucia Leon guided a header wide.<\/p>\n
Brisbane equalised from a corner, when midfielder Momo Hayashi ran from deep and fired a powerful header into the back of the net.<\/p>\n
Phoenix coach Bev Priestman handed an A-League debut to teenager Mikaela Bangalan in the second half and she was lucky to escape an early yellow card, with two over-enthusiastic challenges on goalscoring ace Hayashi.<\/p>\n
As the contest wore on, the home side gained a clear upper hand, and Phoenix keeper Vic Esson was required to make more and more saves.<\/p>\n
That pressure inevitably saw Brisbane take a lead, when the Wellington defence failed to clear the ball and McKenzie Barry deflected a cross into the path of teenage Roar striker Daisy Brown, who made no mistake.<\/p>\n
The Roar dominated statistically, unleashing 18 shots, including eight on goal, while the Phoenix managed just five and two.<\/p>\n
More than 3000 fans packed into Brisbane’s Imperial Corp Stadium and the soldout signs are already out for the second game at Porirua Park next Sunday.<\/p>\n
Follow the live action here:<\/p>\n