Wellington Phoenix are reeling from disappointment, after a lightning storm forced their A-League women's clash with Adelaide United to be abandonned at Wollongong.
After recording the first win of their debut season in the Australian football competition, the Phoenix were fired up for their encounter with the fourth-placed side on the table, hoping to build on their taste of success.
That anticipation turned to dust, after kickoff was delayed 90 minutes, then the rescheduled start was called off with players lined up in the tunnel, as weather conditions deteriorated again.
"The girls are gutted," says coach Gemma Lewis. "Everyone was just ready.
"They got themselves ready and the energy in the changing room just before we were about to go out was really good."
While Australian Professional Leagues hope to play the fixture as soon as possible, Lewis insists the teams are ready to go Friday.
"Both teams are ready to play and want to get it done," she says. "We'd love to play tomorrow.
"They're ready, they want to play. If they could play tomorrow morning, they would.
"We train a lot, we work really hard, but ultimately, all the girls want is games.”
Also weighing on the minds of Phoenix players will be their imminent return home to New Zealand, after a gruelling season across the Tasman.
Sitting at the bottom of the table, they have three more games remaining, with their final outing booked against Perth Glory on March 6.
