The Wellington Phoenix return to Christchurch after nine years away.
The first A-League game in the Garden City since 2015 sees the Phoenix host the Central Coast Mariners, who pipped them to the A-League title last season by just two points.
Head coach Giancarlo Italiano is delighted to be visiting Christchurch, and thinks it will provide a boost to the team.
“I’m looking forward to it. I think Wellington is New Zealand’s team outside of Auckland, supported by the fact that we have so many fans for this game, and that’s great.
“It’s also great for the football public outside of Wellington to enjoy professional football.
“Again, it’s a great venue, the playing surface is amazing, and we’ve had nothing but welcomes which has been great.
“There’s a lot of Phoenix shirts here, a lot of supporters. There was a big cheer for the boys, so it does feel like a home game.
“I actually love the city, it’s the first time I’ve been here. It reminds me of Adelaide in Australia, nice flat terrain, a lot of new construction, and a nice buzz to the place.”
While both sides have struggled to match the heights of last year, they have each found some recent form, with the Nix sitting ninth, ahead of the Mariners on goal difference.
Italiano believes it is important for the Phoenix to beat the teams around them in the hunt to move up the table.
“It definitely helps. From a practical point, playing all your home games and not losing is very important for us moving forward.
“We have a couple of games on the road after this nice stretch of home games.
“We both did really well last year, we both had a huge amount of turnover at the beginning of the year.
“They’ve got a great coaching staff, a good basis, and I feel like we’re on the same page in that respect.”
However, he is more focused on the performance than the result.
“I don’t want to call it a six-pointer, then we come away from it feeling like the season is done. Every game has equal importance in terms of scaling back and seeing where both teams are at.
“For me it’s about solidifying where we want to go, where we’ve been. If we come out with the win tomorrow it will be hard earned, but the focus is always on the performance.
“We’ve been consistent. We’ve been through our share of issues over the last couple of months, and what I’ve been buoyed with is that the players have not lost focus, they’ve knuckled down and for me, the consistency comes from applied group focus.
“We’re not looking too far ahead like finals or anything like that, I’m taking it game by game.”
While five players remain out injured for the Phoenix, there is good news with the return of Matt Sheridan from concussion, while striker turned fullback Daniel Makowem has been named in an extended squad for the first time.
With squad depth being tested, a number of academy players have stepped up this season for the Nix, including Christchurch natives Sheridan and Luke Supyk.
Italiano expects both of them to feature in some capacity, which will be a special moment.
“Both of them will have a part in the game, and that’s where I’ll leave it.
“Of course [I’m happy with their progress], they wouldn’t be in the team if I wasn’t.
“Last year if you look at players we brought into the squad, Luke was probably a surprise, but he did very well when he came and trained with us for a long extended period, and Matthew is the same, he’s been very good.”
The round 16 Isuzu UTE A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners is scheduled to kick-off at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch at 5pm Saturday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 3 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 10 November 2024 – Central Coast Mariners 0 Wellington Phoenix 3
All-time A-League head-to-head: Phoenix 20W, Mariners 19W & 10D.
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Paulo RETRE, 9. Hideki ISHIGE, 15. Isaac HUGHES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 19. Sam SUTTON, 23. Luke SUPYK, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 36. Xuan LOKE, 39. Jayden SMITH, 41. Nathan WALKER, 44. Daniel MAKOWEM, 46. Lachlan CANDY. Unavailable: 6. Tim PAYNE (injured), 11. Stefan COLAKOVSKI (injured), 14. Alex RUFER (c) (illness), 17. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES (injured), 21. Marco ROJAS (injured).
Central Coast Mariners squad (two to be omitted): 1 Adam PAVLESIC (gk), Brian KALTAK, 4. Trent SAINSBURY (c), 7. Christian THEOHAROUS, 9. Alou KUOL, 10. Mikael DOKA, 11. Vitor FEIJAO, 15. Storm ROUX, 16. Harry STEELE, 21. Abdul FAISAL, 24. Diesel HERRINGTON, 27. Sasha KUZEVSKI, 33. Nathan PAULL, 35. Arthur DE LIMA, 36. Haine EAMES, 39. Logan SAMBROOK, 40. Dylan PERAIC-CULLEN (gk), 43. Michael PARAGALLI, 44. Lucas SCICLUNA, 99. Ryan EDMONDSON.
