Victory Men Receive Call from Wellington
On February 6, Melbourne Victory will face Wellington Phoenix in Round 16 of the Isuzu UTE A-League. The match is set to kick off at 5 PM AEDT. This encounter marks the second meeting between the teams within 40 days, following a dominant 5-1 victory for Melbourne in Victoria. Victory aims to overcome last weekend’s loss to Central Coast Mariners with a strong performance in Wellington.
Match Context
Melbourne Victory is seeking its first away win of 2026. Last season, they succeeded during their April visit to Wellington. However, recent performances indicate a need for improvement.
In their previous match, Victory was defeated by Central Coast after a lengthy delay due to lightning and failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities. This came on the heels of a substantial 4-0 victory against Sydney FC, where they showcased attacking prowess.
Injury Updates and Squad Information
Victory’s squad for Round 16 includes:
- Jason Davidson
- Lachlan Jackson
- Reno Piscopo
- Jordi Valadon
- Nikolaos Vergos
- Denis Genreau
- Clerismario Santos Rodrigues
- Matthew Grimaldi
- Sebastian Esposito
- Joshua Inserra
- Nishan Velupillay
- Jing Reec
- Roderick Miranda
- Joshua Rawlins
- Keegan Jelacic
- Jack Duncan
- Louis D’Arrigo
- Jack Warshawsky
- Charles Nduka
- Juan Mata
Captain Roderick Miranda returns from injury, and Charles Nduka recently debuted, adding depth to their attacking options.
Wellington Phoenix’s Recent Performance
Wellington Phoenix has also shown signs of improvement, earning points in four of their five matches this year. After a challenging end to 2025, they managed to string together a series of positive results.
Notably, the Nix secured wins against Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC, alongside a resilient draw against Adelaide United. However, their last outing against Melbourne City ended in disappointment after squandering a 2-0 lead.
Recent Transfers
Wellington bolstered its roster by signing:
- Bill Tuiloma (45-time All Whites international) until 2028
- Sander Kartum (on loan from Heart of Midlothian)
These additions aim to fortify their defense, which currently has the league’s worst record, conceding 28 goals this season.
Expectations for the Match
As Melbourne Victory prepares to battle Wellington Phoenix, fans anticipate an exciting showdown. With both teams eager to secure vital points, the outcome of this match could significantly impact their positions in the league.
The stakes are high for the Victory Men, who are determined to continue building momentum, while Wellington seeks to secure a spot in the finals for the sixth time in eight seasons.
