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Former Canada coach Priestman leads Phoenix to final in return from drone spying ban
The former Canada coach returned from a FIFA ban and led Wellington to its first A-League final, where the Phoenix lost 3-1.
On Saturday, the Wellington Phoenix lost 3-1 to Melbourne Victory in the Australian A-League final, marking the team's first appearance in the championship match.
Bev Priestman's Phoenix role is her first since completing a one-year FIFA ban imposed for offensive behavior during Canada Soccer's drone-spying scandal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The team finished last in its first two A-League seasons and eighth and ninth in the next two years before reaching the final, representing a massive improvement.
Losing the final 'leaves a little bit on us,' Priestman said, though she believes the defeat will help the team 'push to another level' next year.
Having led Canada to gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, Priestman manages the Wellington Phoenix on a two-year contract in New Zealand.