Wellington Phoenix vs Wrexham: Pre-season friendly at Sky Stadium
The Red Dragons, owned by Hollywood pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, will be hosted by the A-League club in a pre-season friendly for the final match of their
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NZ Herald
8 hours ago
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Wellington Phoenix overcome lightning strike, penalty shootout for Australia Cup win in Perth
The Wellington Phoenix survived a lightning strike and a dramatic penalty shootout to progress to the last 16 of the Australia Cup. Academy graduate Lukas Kelly-Heald scored the decisive spot kick as the Phoenix beat the Perth Glory 8-7 in the shootout, played in driving rain at the Olympic Stadium
RNZ News
14 hours ago
- RNZ News
Phoenix overcome lightning strike, penalty shoot-out to claim win in Perth
Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ The Wellington Phoenix survived a lightning strike and a dramatic penalty shoot-out to progress to the last 16 of the Australia Cup. Academy graduate Lukas Kelly-Heald scored the decisive spot kick as the Phoenix beat Perth Glory 8-7 in the shootout played in driving rain at the Olympic Stadium in Perth. The round of 32 tie had finished level at 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time, which was interrupted for more than half an hour due to lightning. Kelly-Heald earlier scored his first competitive goal for the club to put the Nix in front at half-time before Socceroos striker Adam Taggart drew the Glory level in the 89th minute to force an additional 15 minutes a side. Neither team was able to break the deadlock in extra time, sending the tie to penalties. Perth had a chance to win the shootout 5-3 but spurned their fifth spot kick and reserves midfielder Lachlan Candy then converted his to take it to sudden death. The Glory sent their ninth penalty over the bar, but Kelly-Heald made no mistake of his to seal the win for Wellington and spark wild celebrations. However Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano missed Kelly-Heald's decisive spot kick, but not his maiden goal for the Phoenix. "I don't watch penalties so I've got to watch the replay and see his finish. I heard there were some good penalties. "He put in a great stint. There was talk about taking him off in extra time but he just trooped through. Giancarlo Italiano named the same XI which started last week's match against Wrexham AFC. Auckland FC play their round of 32 game on Tuesday against Gold Coast Knights.
1News
19-07-2025
- 1News
What you need to know ahead of Wrexham's clash against the Phoenix
The fanfare greeting Wrexham AFC's arrival in Wellington for a pre-season friendly tells you everything you need to know about the current global wave of popularity the Welsh side is riding. Back-to-back-to-back promotions under the ownership of Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have transformed the club from no-hopers to a pop culture phenomenon. Or perhaps, more specifically, it's the hit documentary series Welcome to Wrexham that has made stars out of non-Premier League players and die-hard supporters. How else would you be expected to know who Ollie Palmer is? Or find yourself gutted that Paul Mullin's been squeezed out to Wigan? ADVERTISEMENT This afternoon the Wellington Phoenix will be hoping some of Wrexham's gold dust rubs off them. Liberato Cacace. (Source: Wrexham AFC) The Big News Wrexham may have a few extra supporters in the cake tin today after announcing the signing of former Phoenix fan-favourite Liberato Cacace. The All Whites star has made a record-breaking move to Wales from Empoli, with the announcement splashed across the club's website this morning. It's a massive challenge for the left back. The Championship is notorious for being ferociously competitive, with teams desperate to reach the promised land of Premier League football. ADVERTISEMENT But he's thrived at every new level he's reached and will be battle-hardened even further in a World Cup year. Phoenix form The Phoenix endured a torrid time last season, and it would be a surprise to see them recreate the scenes of famous pre-season friendly victories from the past (Andrew Durante's winner against West Ham in 2014, anyone?). You can't blame them for being undercooked – they've only just returned to pre-season and have lost key players – but they'll be desperate to see some green shoots of hope, most likely in the shape of youngsters-to-watch. Wrexham AFC poses for a photo prior to the match between Sydney FC and Wrexham AFC at Allianz Stadium. (Source: Getty) Wrexham favourites missing Star man Ollie Rathbone picked up a nasty-looking ankle injury in Wrexham's 2-1 loss to Sydney FC this week. Jay Rodriguez – former teammate of Chris Wood at Burnley – also picked up a knock, and Sam Smith is yet to feature. ADVERTISEMENT Travelling fans of the Red Dragons will be eager to watch some of the more high-profile heroes get a run-out in their final Down Under hit-out. Fairy tales can come true Ok, Wrexham have had the benefit of heavy investment from multimillionaire owners. But don't forget where they've come from and how difficult the path to the top has been. If the Phoenix can take anything from the Wrexham narrative, it's that it absolutely is possible to rise from the ashes and write your own success story. Watch the Phoenix take on Wrexham live and free on TVNZ+ and TVNZ2 from 4.30pm.
