A-League 2026/27 Season Round 1 Double Header - Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Melbourne City & Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Melbourne Victory - 18/10/2026.

Photo highlights from the first fixture of the double header which was the Ninja A-League Round 1 clash between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City which was played at a sweltering Hnry Stadium as the Wellington Phoenix were left to regret a costly penalty giveaway and a late free kick which was sublimely smashed into the top corner of the net by Melbourne City's Momo Hayashi. Melbourne City went on to hold onto the three points in their A-League Women season opener.

This album also contains photos from the live performance from Wellington based band Drax Project during the interval between the two fixtures.

Photo highlights from the second game of the A-League Round 1 double header clash between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory as the Wellington Phoenix claimed their first opening-round win in eight years with a superb display to upset Melbourne Victory thanks to goals from Corban Piper who rose majestically to smash home a header past Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Jack Duncan.

New import Riley Bidois on loan from Monterey Bay sealed the three points for the nix after firing home from close range after Charles Nduka had equalised shortly after Corban Piper's opener with a well taken effort after chipping Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Henry Gray from close range.

Results:

Ninja A-League - Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Melbourne City

A-League Men - Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Melbourne Victory

Photos were taken for ZUMA Press

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