1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,707 Speaker 1: from Newstalk z'by. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:15,267 Speaker 2: The Wellington Phoenix Women are on the verge of history. 4 00:00:15,307 --> 00:00:18,827 Speaker 2: They have secured their first ever finals appearance and still 5 00:00:18,867 --> 00:00:22,067 Speaker 2: have a shot at the Women's A League Premier's plate 6 00:00:22,467 --> 00:00:25,267 Speaker 2: if they win their final two regular season matches. The 7 00:00:25,267 --> 00:00:28,627 Speaker 2: first of those is this afternoon against the Western Sydney 8 00:00:28,667 --> 00:00:32,667 Speaker 2: Wanderers at Pottydoor Park, kickoff at four. Wellington Phoenix midfielder 9 00:00:32,707 --> 00:00:35,467 Speaker 2: Emma Pinenberg is with us ahead of this game. Finals 10 00:00:35,507 --> 00:00:38,827 Speaker 2: football secure for the first time in club history for 11 00:00:38,867 --> 00:00:41,147 Speaker 2: the women, Emma have bigger moment was that for the 12 00:00:41,147 --> 00:00:41,747 Speaker 2: playing group. 13 00:00:42,467 --> 00:00:44,587 Speaker 3: I mean the team has never made the finals, so 14 00:00:44,627 --> 00:00:46,387 Speaker 3: I think since the start of the season that was 15 00:00:46,827 --> 00:00:49,027 Speaker 3: a big push. So the first thing you want to achieve, 16 00:00:49,107 --> 00:00:52,107 Speaker 3: and then once you get that, it's like looking further. 17 00:00:52,387 --> 00:00:53,827 Speaker 3: But yeah, that was always the first goal. 18 00:00:54,187 --> 00:00:56,427 Speaker 2: There's still a chance obviously that you can win the 19 00:00:56,827 --> 00:00:59,107 Speaker 2: premiers played if you win your last two matches. Does 20 00:00:59,107 --> 00:01:01,747 Speaker 2: it kind of almost give these these last two games 21 00:01:01,747 --> 00:01:03,347 Speaker 2: a bit of a finals feel? 22 00:01:04,787 --> 00:01:06,987 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think we've start that last week as well 23 00:01:07,107 --> 00:01:10,587 Speaker 3: with the two games, like everything feels like a final 24 00:01:10,707 --> 00:01:12,787 Speaker 3: every team is fighting for the end of their season 25 00:01:13,107 --> 00:01:15,747 Speaker 3: where to make playoffs. For her to win, every game 26 00:01:15,747 --> 00:01:16,987 Speaker 3: feels like a final from now. 27 00:01:17,507 --> 00:01:20,947 Speaker 2: The Mariner is on Wednesday night a disappointing defeat over there. 28 00:01:21,307 --> 00:01:24,667 Speaker 2: What have been the main takeaways from the review of 29 00:01:24,667 --> 00:01:25,187 Speaker 2: that match? 30 00:01:27,147 --> 00:01:29,787 Speaker 3: Yeah, we played, we didn't play at our best, like 31 00:01:29,827 --> 00:01:31,747 Speaker 3: we didn't play our game as well, and we missed 32 00:01:31,747 --> 00:01:35,667 Speaker 3: a couple of tactical and maybe some mentality like pointers. 33 00:01:36,707 --> 00:01:38,587 Speaker 3: We've reviewed that and we know what we have to 34 00:01:38,587 --> 00:01:39,827 Speaker 3: do today for the game. 35 00:01:40,347 --> 00:01:42,667 Speaker 2: There was a bright spot at the end though, stunning 36 00:01:42,667 --> 00:01:45,947 Speaker 2: free kick from Macy Fraser, who's who's been you know, 37 00:01:46,027 --> 00:01:49,387 Speaker 2: integrated back into the squad after her mental health break. 38 00:01:49,667 --> 00:01:52,067 Speaker 2: How important might she be for you at the back 39 00:01:52,147 --> 00:01:53,787 Speaker 2: end of the season if she can keep doing that. 40 00:01:55,747 --> 00:01:58,107 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was really great to see Macy playing some 41 00:01:58,227 --> 00:02:00,627 Speaker 3: more games and obviously an amazing goal. We know that, 42 00:02:01,147 --> 00:02:03,027 Speaker 3: like Chicken hit a really good free kick, so that 43 00:02:03,147 --> 00:02:05,627 Speaker 3: was awesome to see. Yeah, she's a great player and 44 00:02:05,667 --> 00:02:07,627 Speaker 3: it's nice to have back, and she can be really 45 00:02:07,627 --> 00:02:08,587 Speaker 3: important for us. I think. 46 00:02:09,147 --> 00:02:11,867 Speaker 2: So when you think about the game today and obviously 47 00:02:11,947 --> 00:02:15,227 Speaker 2: next weekend against Adelaide, is it just about winning the 48 00:02:15,267 --> 00:02:18,267 Speaker 2: game any way that you can, or is there still 49 00:02:18,827 --> 00:02:23,307 Speaker 2: a desire to stay true to the team's football principles. 50 00:02:25,587 --> 00:02:27,947 Speaker 3: I mean, it's important to win, and I think when 51 00:02:27,987 --> 00:02:31,587 Speaker 3: we play, but when we play like our style and 52 00:02:31,827 --> 00:02:34,467 Speaker 3: the way we can, that's how we get our best 53 00:02:34,467 --> 00:02:36,507 Speaker 3: results anyway, So they kind of go hand in hand. 54 00:02:37,267 --> 00:02:38,867 Speaker 3: But yeah, towards the end of the season, you just 55 00:02:38,987 --> 00:02:42,107 Speaker 3: you need to get the point. So that's the most important. 56 00:02:41,947 --> 00:02:44,427 Speaker 2: Tell us about your decision, Emma to come to Wellington 57 00:02:45,067 --> 00:02:47,147 Speaker 2: at the back end of last year and how that 58 00:02:47,187 --> 00:02:47,947 Speaker 2: move came about. 59 00:02:49,827 --> 00:02:51,907 Speaker 3: So I was playing at faint in the Netherlands but 60 00:02:52,107 --> 00:02:55,067 Speaker 3: not really getting consistent minutes and in the midfield. I 61 00:02:55,107 --> 00:02:58,947 Speaker 3: just wanted to have like some consistency there and obviously 62 00:02:58,987 --> 00:03:01,667 Speaker 3: there is a very good coach and so when I 63 00:03:01,747 --> 00:03:04,627 Speaker 3: knew that opportunity was there, I just took it. It 64 00:03:04,707 --> 00:03:06,387 Speaker 3: seemed like the right thing to do. 65 00:03:06,427 --> 00:03:08,347 Speaker 2: You reflect on your time in the Netherlands. 66 00:03:10,307 --> 00:03:13,507 Speaker 3: We also those that's for three years and I'm half Dutch, 67 00:03:13,587 --> 00:03:16,227 Speaker 3: so it wasn't like a completely foreign country to me, 68 00:03:16,467 --> 00:03:19,467 Speaker 3: but like going home a little bit as well. Yeah, 69 00:03:19,467 --> 00:03:21,587 Speaker 3: it's really cool, it's really nice. 70 00:03:22,347 --> 00:03:25,667 Speaker 2: Yeah, there's playing overseas again. Something that that you're ambitious about. 71 00:03:25,867 --> 00:03:28,427 Speaker 2: I'm not sure what the current nature of your contract 72 00:03:28,427 --> 00:03:30,467 Speaker 2: in Wellington is, but but are you keen to play 73 00:03:30,547 --> 00:03:33,587 Speaker 2: overseas again or might we see you in a Wellington 74 00:03:34,347 --> 00:03:35,427 Speaker 2: shirt for a bit longer? 75 00:03:36,707 --> 00:03:38,667 Speaker 3: We'll see My contract at the moment is just to 76 00:03:38,707 --> 00:03:41,307 Speaker 3: the end of the season that I haven't decided yet 77 00:03:41,547 --> 00:03:42,947 Speaker 3: what to do for next season. 78 00:03:43,787 --> 00:03:46,187 Speaker 2: That can all come. I suppose let's talk about this season. 79 00:03:46,387 --> 00:03:49,307 Speaker 2: How do you assess the role you've played. I mean, 80 00:03:49,347 --> 00:03:51,427 Speaker 2: you're getting regular minutes c J bodd as we know, 81 00:03:52,107 --> 00:03:54,147 Speaker 2: you know, great news for her with you know, with 82 00:03:54,147 --> 00:03:57,787 Speaker 2: her pregnancy, but obviously that's that's that's you know, opened 83 00:03:57,867 --> 00:03:59,587 Speaker 2: up a place there and you've slotted in really well. 84 00:03:59,587 --> 00:04:00,667 Speaker 2: Are you happy with the way you go? 85 00:04:02,027 --> 00:04:05,427 Speaker 3: Yeah? Yeah, obviously losing CJ was quite big for the team. 86 00:04:05,587 --> 00:04:08,587 Speaker 3: It's really nice though, As you said, Yeah, I think 87 00:04:08,587 --> 00:04:10,907 Speaker 3: I struggled a bit at the start, just getting used 88 00:04:10,947 --> 00:04:13,307 Speaker 3: to the different style compared to what I was playing 89 00:04:13,347 --> 00:04:15,827 Speaker 3: over in Europe. I think I've improved and now like 90 00:04:15,867 --> 00:04:20,147 Speaker 3: with my consistent and its have definitely Yeah, been a 91 00:04:20,187 --> 00:04:21,187 Speaker 3: bit more on points to a teen. 92 00:04:21,587 --> 00:04:23,147 Speaker 2: Was there an adjustment to make two in terms of 93 00:04:23,227 --> 00:04:25,427 Speaker 2: as you say you know your limit, your minutes had 94 00:04:25,427 --> 00:04:27,667 Speaker 2: been a bit limited at fine or coming back. I 95 00:04:27,667 --> 00:04:30,507 Speaker 2: mean you're playing. I know initially it was you know, 96 00:04:30,667 --> 00:04:33,507 Speaker 2: manage minutes, I guess, but you're playing, you know a 97 00:04:33,507 --> 00:04:35,427 Speaker 2: lot of minutes. Has that been an adjustment as well? 98 00:04:37,187 --> 00:04:39,307 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean just game fitness in general. I hadn't 99 00:04:39,307 --> 00:04:41,867 Speaker 3: played a ninety minute game in quite a while, so 100 00:04:43,187 --> 00:04:45,627 Speaker 3: and now we've got two or three games like every 101 00:04:46,307 --> 00:04:49,267 Speaker 3: every week, every ten days, so that takes them getting 102 00:04:49,347 --> 00:04:51,387 Speaker 3: used to. But I think the stuff here a really 103 00:04:51,387 --> 00:04:53,667 Speaker 3: good at managing the minutes and making sure everyone's getting 104 00:04:53,707 --> 00:04:55,867 Speaker 3: on the field. So has it made a problem so far? 105 00:04:56,227 --> 00:04:58,667 Speaker 2: You talked about Bev Pristsman before and she's made a 106 00:04:58,667 --> 00:05:02,307 Speaker 2: massive impact on the football club, and it seems anyway 107 00:05:02,387 --> 00:05:07,267 Speaker 2: on individual players too. What in particular has have you 108 00:05:07,387 --> 00:05:08,787 Speaker 2: taken from her coaching? 109 00:05:10,107 --> 00:05:13,347 Speaker 3: I actually think her communication and like player management has 110 00:05:13,347 --> 00:05:16,667 Speaker 3: really stood out to me. Yeah, just like the way 111 00:05:16,707 --> 00:05:19,467 Speaker 3: that she makes the whole team feel like they're important 112 00:05:19,507 --> 00:05:22,267 Speaker 3: and whatever role that you're playing on the game day, 113 00:05:22,307 --> 00:05:24,467 Speaker 3: like she makes sure that you know that the team 114 00:05:24,547 --> 00:05:26,747 Speaker 3: values you and what you bring. So that's been really 115 00:05:26,787 --> 00:05:27,387 Speaker 3: special for me. 116 00:05:27,827 --> 00:05:29,747 Speaker 2: And you've also been a regular member of the Football 117 00:05:29,787 --> 00:05:32,427 Speaker 2: Ferns in the past year or so since debuting at 118 00:05:32,467 --> 00:05:35,227 Speaker 2: the start of twenty twenty five. How much are you 119 00:05:35,307 --> 00:05:38,427 Speaker 2: thinking about next month's final couple of World Cup qualifiers 120 00:05:38,627 --> 00:05:41,027 Speaker 2: and the chance of going to a World Cup with 121 00:05:41,107 --> 00:05:42,507 Speaker 2: New Zealand next year. 122 00:05:43,467 --> 00:05:46,227 Speaker 3: Obviously super special like qualifying for the World Cup, as 123 00:05:46,307 --> 00:05:48,267 Speaker 3: everyone wants to go to a World Cup, so it 124 00:05:48,307 --> 00:05:51,587 Speaker 3: will be super important to win those games, and to 125 00:05:51,627 --> 00:05:53,427 Speaker 3: do it in New Zealand and Aucklyn will be really 126 00:05:53,427 --> 00:05:53,827 Speaker 3: cool too. 127 00:05:54,387 --> 00:05:56,067 Speaker 2: And the majority of your games for New Zealand have 128 00:05:56,147 --> 00:05:58,387 Speaker 2: been in an impact role off the bench. How can 129 00:05:58,387 --> 00:06:00,787 Speaker 2: now you to really push for a starting role with 130 00:06:00,867 --> 00:06:02,027 Speaker 2: the Football Ferns. 131 00:06:02,747 --> 00:06:05,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it's it's a privilege, like whatever you 132 00:06:05,147 --> 00:06:07,827 Speaker 3: can play with the national team is very special, but 133 00:06:08,187 --> 00:06:11,067 Speaker 3: to start games would obviously be really cool. So I've 134 00:06:11,067 --> 00:06:12,907 Speaker 3: got things I need to work on myself and I 135 00:06:12,987 --> 00:06:14,827 Speaker 3: know what I need to improve, so as long as 136 00:06:14,827 --> 00:06:16,627 Speaker 3: I keep focusing on that, I think those other things 137 00:06:16,667 --> 00:06:18,067 Speaker 3: will come and. 138 00:06:18,107 --> 00:06:21,387 Speaker 2: Just back to Wellington to finish. How much belief is 139 00:06:21,427 --> 00:06:24,507 Speaker 2: there Emma within the playing squad that you know that 140 00:06:24,947 --> 00:06:27,747 Speaker 2: this might be something really special, not just making finals 141 00:06:27,787 --> 00:06:30,947 Speaker 2: but actually actually winning some silverware at the end of 142 00:06:30,987 --> 00:06:31,307 Speaker 2: it all. 143 00:06:32,587 --> 00:06:35,027 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it's all like uncharted territory for this 144 00:06:35,067 --> 00:06:37,147 Speaker 3: club at the moment, like we've never got this far. 145 00:06:37,307 --> 00:06:39,307 Speaker 3: So it's just a really special feeling in the team, 146 00:06:39,427 --> 00:06:41,947 Speaker 3: like we know that we can achieve something really special 147 00:06:42,787 --> 00:06:45,307 Speaker 3: and yeah, there's everyone has that belief. So it's really 148 00:06:45,307 --> 00:06:46,787 Speaker 3: cool to be a part of well. 149 00:06:46,627 --> 00:06:49,227 Speaker 2: The next step along the path is Western Sydney this afternoon. 150 00:06:49,227 --> 00:06:51,067 Speaker 2: Really appreciate you taking the time for a chat, Emma. 151 00:06:51,067 --> 00:06:52,467 Speaker 2: All the best for today and for the rest of 152 00:06:52,507 --> 00:06:55,307 Speaker 2: the season. Thank you, Thank you, Emma, Emma Pinenberg. There 153 00:06:55,307 --> 00:06:58,467 Speaker 2: from Wellington Phoenix is Women's Side four o'clock this afternoon. 154 00:06:59,187 --> 00:07:02,387 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 155 00:07:02,507 --> 00:07:05,787 Speaker 1: to news talks it'd be weekends from midday or follow 156 00:07:05,787 --> 00:07:07,387 Speaker 1: the podcasts done iHeartRadio