(Kayo Stadium, January 3, 2026) — The Wellington Phoenix secured a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Brisbane Roar in the Ninja A-League after a 98th-minute goal by Brooke Nunn stunned the hosts.
The Wellington Phoenix snatched a late equalizer, earning their first point in Queensland after a back-and-forth match against the Brisbane Roar.
- A quick-thinking goal from Manaia Elliott gave the Phoenix an early lead.
- Ava Piazza scored a stunning goal for the Roar, putting them ahead in the second half.
- Brooke Nunn’s late goal salvaged a draw for Wellington in the 98th minute.
- Sabitra ‘Samba’ Bhandari was substituted with an apparent leg injury during the second half.
The match at Kayo Stadium saw a frenzied opening half with three goals scored within 20 minutes. Wellington opened the scoring in the 15th minute through Manaia Elliott, who capitalized on a mistake by Brisbane goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln. Lincoln had ventured forward while the Roar played out from the back, leaving Elliott with the opportunity to shoot from 40 yards when Momo Hayashi lost possession; her shot hit the post and went in.
However, the Phoenix’s lead was short-lived. Ashlyn Miller equalized less than two minutes later with her first Ninja A-League goal, finishing a sharp move down the Roar’s left side with a left-footed shot after a pass from Sharn Freier.
The Roar then took the lead thanks to a spectacular strike from Ava Piazza. After a set-piece was punched clear by Phoenix goalkeeper Victoria Esson, the ball fell directly to Piazza, who unleashed a thunderous shot from 24 yards that found the back of the net.
Despite several chances in the second half, the score remained 2-1 until the dying moments of the match. In the 57th minute, a goalmouth scramble saw a Marisa van der Meer attempt hit the crossbar, followed by a blocked shot from Ellie Walker by teammate Sabitra ‘Samba’ Bhandari on the goal line. Further chances were thwarted in the 77th minute when Esson intervened to prevent Samba from scoring off a corner.
Samba was subsequently substituted with an apparent leg injury following that passage of play.
The Phoenix’s persistence finally paid off in the 98th minute when Brooke Nunn’s cross deceived Lincoln, dropping under the crossbar to secure the draw.
Why It Matters
This result is significant for the Wellington Phoenix, marking their first point earned in Queensland and demonstrating their resilience in a challenging away match. The late equalizer, secured so deep into added time, highlights the team’s determination and ability to compete against strong opposition. The draw also underscores the competitive nature of the Ninja A-League, where matches can swing dramatically even in the final minutes.
“It was heartbreaking for the Roar,” the report states, emphasizing the dramatic nature of the late goal and the emotional impact on the home team.
Ellie Walker reflected on the thrilling draw with Brisbane Roar, while Ava Piazza discussed her goal of the season contender against Wellington Phoenix.
