Perth Glory climbed to second in the Ninja A-League Women’s table after first-half goals from Emma Tovar and Rola Badawiya secured a 2-0 home win over last season’s runners-up Wellington Phoenix.
Click HERE for full match highlights.
Tovar capped off a sweeping move with a crisp finish after just five minutes and Badawiya’s close-range header doubled Glory’s lead on the stroke of half-time.
Phoenix duly applied some concerted pressure in the second half, but Stephen Peters’ side held firm to record a third consecutive clean sheet and maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
On a mild night in the West, both sides came flying out of the traps, with Makala Woods firing just over for the visitors inside the opening three minutes.
Glory’s response to that early let-off was as swift as it was decisive, Phonsongkham slipping Tovar into the box and the midfielder calmly picking out the bottom corner for her second career goal in purple.
Both sides then rolled their sleeves up for a physical midfield battle which was compelling to watch even if clear-cut chances were at a premium at both ends.
It looked as if Tovar’s goal would be the difference at the break, only for Badawiya to strike in first-half stoppage time.
Phonsongkham’s corner from the left was not dealt with by the Phoenix defence and Badawiya took full advantage, heading into the roof of the net from almost underneath the crossbar.
A response was to be expected from the visitors, but when it came, Glory were more than equal to it.
Aside from a strong shout for a penalty after Baxter Thew appeared to handle the ball in the box and a late effort from Indiah-Page Riley which flew narrowly wide, the women in purple kept Phoenix at arm’s length.
Indeed they could have extended their lead late in the piece when Phonsongkham sent Bronte Trew racing in on goal, but the substitute saw her effort tipped over by Victoria Esson.
Glory Women will be back at HBF Park next Saturday when old rivals Canberra United will provide the opposition (kick-off at 4pm).
Match Details
Ninja A-League 2026/27 Season Round 3
Perth Glory 2 (Tovar 5′, Badawiya 41′) Wellington Phoenix 0
Half-time: 2-0
HBF Park
Sunday 1 November 2026
Referee: Mikayla Ryan
Perth Glory: 21.Alyssa DALL’OSTE (GK), 3.Ella BUCHANAN (11.Ella ABDUL MASSIH 73′), 5.Baxter THEW, 6.Emma TOVAR, 8.Georgia CASSIDY (12.Bronte TREW 73′), 9.Maggie JENKINS (25.Ella LINCOLN 66′), 10.Susan PHONSONGKHAM (C), 17.Rola BADAWIYA (7.Megan WYNNE 62′), 19.Clancy WESTAWAY (23.Isobel DALTON 63′) 24.Julia SARDO, 29.Onyinyechi ZOGG
Substitutes not used: 1.Teresa MORRISSEY (GK), 2.Mischa ANDERSON
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER, 6. Abby ERCEG, 7. Grace JALE, 13. Tameka YALLOP, 17. Indiah-Paige RILEY, 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK, 25. Alyssha EGLINTON (30.Kamilia PICKETT 60′), 31. Makala WOODS (20.Emma MAIN 17′) (8. Milly CLEGG 60′)
Substitutes not used: 3. Lara WALL, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 32.Brooke NEARY (GK)
Yellow Cards: Jale
Red Cards: None
#ONEGlory
ALW Match Report: Glory climb to second spot with statement win over Wellington
