Four-time A-League champions, Melbourne Victory, began their 2026/27 campaign, in which they look for their first championship since 2018, by making the near 1600-mile journey to Wellington in New Zealand to play the Wellington Phoenix.
However, it was an opening day defeat for the Victory. A bullet header from close range by Corban Piper, and a first-time left footed effort from Riley Bidois either side of Charles Nduka’s equaliser meant the Phoenix earned the points with a 2-1 victory.
The opener was found only 13 minutes in. On the right wing, Matt Sheridan received the ball from the centre of midfield and took little time before deciding to send the ball into the box, instead of trying to get around Franco Lino. Piper rose highest and put a lot of venom on his header which, from only a few yards from goal, beat Jack Duncan, and found the net, leaving the Victory keeper to theatrically fall to the floor in frustration.
It was another header that created the ground for the Phoenix to almost gain a remarkable second. The header was a desperate clearance from the Victory defence, which was picked up by Kazuki Nagasawa, who made his way into range, before unleashing a 25-yard effort which struck the crossbar, forcing Duncan to go off his feet.
Wellington were pulled back two minutes later, play between Denis Genreau and Nduka milimeteres outside the box, plus a touch from Matthew Grimaldi confused the defence and keeper, Henry Gray, who made the last-minute decision to rush out and challenge Nduka. It didn’t work as the forward saw him coming and fired into the gaping hole in the goal that had been created.
Just past the half-hour mark, recently introduced substitute Nathan Walker’s instinctive flick set himself free to try and restore his side’s lead, but made the choice to take the shot soon after entering the box rather than attempting to get closer to goal. As a result, Duncan was able to save with his arms.
Seconds later, it was almost a carbon copy of Walker’s attack but for the Victory. This time, the flick made its way to Nduka, who, when one-on-one with Gray, couldn’t get the ideal connection and saw the ball and it sailed past Gray’s right post.
Piper nearly got his and his side’s second courtesy of his head again. Whilst waiting at the far post, Bryce Duke saw him make the run and sent over the delivery, but Victory’s Joshua Inserra made up his ground and rose to make the block.
17 minutes after Grimaldi missed a golden opportunity to take the lead for the visitors in the centre of the box, it was in the centre of his side’s box where Phoenix took the lead. On the edge of the area to Duncan’s right, Walker beat Tom Lockyer to get the ball to find Bidois, currently back at the Phoenix on loan from Monterey Bay in the USA, and despite a hand from Duncan, found the winner.
Wellington will look to maintain their perfect start when they welcome the Central Coast Mariners, who drew with the Newcastle Jets in their first game. Meanwhile, the Victory will hope to open their wins column in the Melbourne derby when Melbourne City arrive, who are also still looking for their first win.
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