Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Result 1 - 1 draw

Player of the day: AJ - for excellent defence and attack.

Areas to develop: Setting up & scoring goals. Fitness.

Highlights: We had plenty of chances to win this game but the winning goal eluded us. Liam scored from a long range kick that soared into the back of the opposition net after some excellent work to get the ball from defence, through mid-field and into the net.

We looked like the better team for most of the match, but missed Cody in defence due to sickness. 2 players carried injuries into the game, but didn't seem to affect their play.

I was very impressed with the teamwork as JD led the team on to the field and kicked off the first half.

Josh had an excellent first half in goal and kept a clean sheet with some good saves. He moved into the mid-field in the second half and made some excellent passes.

Cameron replaced Josh as goalie and was made to work hard with a number of outstanding saves. In the first half, Cameron was decisive and was able to read the plays and create opportunities to score.

Defence were kept busy with some runs against the play catching us off guard.

Bosco's huge boot was useful to turn play around. He was reliable with the ball at his feet.

Caleb was solid as usual in defence. He had a chance playing in the unfamiliar position of striker and tackled well, coming close to scoring a couple of times.

JD was up the front again and was excellent at pressuring the opposition goalie. He was unlucky not to score.

Vinnie was useful on the right wing. He has some great skills to beat tacklers and cross the ball into the goal area.

Sam played much of the game in defence before moving to midfield. I was impressed with his tackling.

Amanda made some great passes and got involved with the play. She positioned herself well.

Vincent started as striker and moved back to mid-field. Vincent worked hard and was eager to score. Time & time again he was able to get the ball into attacking positions.

Andy made some excellent tackles, was able to beat would-be tacklers and made excellent passes.

AJ had a standout game in defence before moving to mid-field, attacking the goal and putting up some useful crosses.

Aaron stuck to his favoured left wing and was keen to score. He positioned himself well and had a few goes at scoring.

Liam scored a wonderful goal that lifted the confidence in the team. He struck the ball strongly and was vocal in guiding the team.

Our new white strip looked great and the team played positively. It would've been good to have come away with the win because we did look like the better team for most of the game.

Wellington Phoenix have an open day at Wellington Stadium on Sunday 29 July from 11am to 1pm. I hope to see some of the team there.

We also received our team photos which looked excellent. Check out the 16 photos from the game below.

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

GOAL!

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Game 13 - Jaguars vs Stop Out McCreadie

Phoenix win 3 nil!

I watched the Phoenix play their first home game at Westpac Stadium and beat Sydney 3 nil.

On Sunday, July 29, Wellington Phoenix FC hosts its first ever Club Open Day at its match-day home, Westpac Stadium.

From 11am to 1pm you’ll be able to meet the Phoenix players and coaches who will represent the capital in the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season.

Go behind the scenes and check out the players’ changing rooms and walk down the players’ tunnel out on to the famous Westpac Stadium turf, where kids will be able to put their penalty shootout skills to the test.

There will be giveaways and spot prizes, as well as all the information you need about Wellington Phoenix FC and how you can get behind the club.

Game 12 - Jaguars vs Upper Hutt Pumas

Result - Loss - 3 - 0

Player of the day: Andy for some great passing & JD for going so very close to scoring.

Areas to develop: I was thrilled to see improvement with the player staying in their positions & will continue develop this.

Highlights: We were under pressure early from the Pumas who had just dropped down from the higher section of our grade. They looked stronger and certainly had players that could score goals.

We held them to 1 nil in the first half with some brilliant goal keeping. We had some excellent chances in the later stages of the game and had a few shots throughout the game but unfortunately none went in.

There were some fantastic examples of teamwork with players showing leadership and skills when they passed, encouraging and helping each other in their positions.

Amanda "Lou" keeps getting better every game. She fed some excellent passes to the strikers.

Bosco was strong in defence and was able to turn the ball around.

Aaron had an excellent game in defence and seemed to create more goal scoring opportunities from the back.

Cameron was energetic and was able to beat the opposition time & time again.

Sam played an excellent game on the wing. His positioning enabled him to make good gains up the field when he got the ball.

Andy was tackling strongly and passing positively.

Caleb wore himself out with a strong defensive game. He read the game well and positioned himself to restrict the opposition attacks.

Josh was a hero in goal. He took up the challenge of protecting the goal and stopped a huge number of shots.

JD had a fantastic game. His passing and chasing the shots at goal nearly paid off.

Liam was keen to score and created some good opportunities.

Vinnie was also keen to score and gave it everything.

Vincent was terrier-like in the mid-field. He played an excellent game, attacking and defending.

Cody was ruthless in his defence, stopping the opposition and turning them round with solid ball skills.

JD was presented with a memorial rose after the game.

Thanks to Vincent for offering to wash the jerseys.

Even though we didn't win the game, the team seemed to feel like winners & have fun after a few weeks off the field with holidays and poor weather.

The Wellington Phoenix play their first pre-season home game at Westpac Stadium this Sunday. Kids under 16 are free. More info here

See you at practice - 4pm Thursday.

Game 12 - Jaguars vs Upper Hutt Pumas

Game 12 - Jaguars vs Upper Hutt Pumas

Game 12 - Jaguars vs Upper Hutt Pumas

Game 12 - Jaguars vs Upper Hutt Pumas

Game 12 - Jaguars vs Upper Hutt Pumas

Due to the condition of the grounds, the game was cancelled today.

Our thoughts go to Josh D & his family after Josh's mother, Michelle, passed away suddenly last week...