A tough trip to Sydney is next on the agenda for the Wellington Phoenix men.
Head coach Giancarlo Italiano has taken heart from the second half against Adelaide last weekend, where the Nix came back from two goals down to earn a point.
“I took great encouragement from the whole performance,” he told media pre-match.
“We had two naive moments where we mistimed the press and we got punished.
“These things happen in games, very happy with the bounceback, would have been easy to give up.
“The boys were very resilient, and probably could have won the game.”
This weekend’s game also shapes as a potential debut for All White Bill Tuiloma.
“At this stage he’ll be in the squad. Bill’s trained now for two weeks, every session looks really good.
Again, he hasn’t played for an extended period of time, so we have to build his loads and get him integrated into the group. But he’s doing better than expected.”
Sydney FC currently sit second on the ladder and could go top with a win, so Italiano is prepared for a challenge.
“I think we match up quite well. They’re really good defensively, if not the best team.
“Hard to break down, the way they defend the box is quite good. They’ve got some really good players, I’m a big fan of their midfield.
“They’ll punish you if you give them an opportunity, so we’ve got to be focused for 90 minutes and stick to the gameplan.”
And tactical tweaks could play a part, as he continues to adjust the team’s style of play.
“I think I’m going to steer the team for the next five, six games back to a more tactical emphasis on opposition.
“Last year one of the biggest critiques we had was scoring goals and making opportunities.
“Pressing high makes it easier to do that, but a whole new set of problems comes with it.
“We’re sorting out the things that work, that don’t work.
The fact we’re second in goals scored is encouraging. If we can tighten up a little at the back, we can start building consistent results.”
The round 13 Isuzu UTE A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC is scheduled to kick-off at Allianz Stadium in Sydney at 7pm (5pm AEDT) Sunday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 3 in New Zealand, and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 16 March 2025 – Sydney FC 1 Wellington Phoenix 1
All-time A-League head-to-head: Phoenix 16W, Sydney 27W & 8D.
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Manjrekar JAMES, 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Ifeanyi EZE, 8. Paulo RETRE, 10. Nikola MILEUSNIC, 11. Carlo ARMIENTO, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 20. Ramy NAJJARINE, 24. Xuan LOKE, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 28. Bill TUILOMA, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 37. Anaru CASSIDY, 40. Eamonn MCCARRON (gk).
Unavailable: 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk) (injured), 9. Hideki ISHIGE (injured), 12. Dan EDWARDS (injured), 19. Nathan WALKER (injured), 23. Luke SUPYK (injured), 39. Jayden SMITH (injured).
Sydney FC squad (two to be omitted): 4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 5. Alex GRANT, 6. Corey HOLLMAN, 7. Piero QUISPE, 8. Wataru KAMIJO, 9. Victor CAMPUZANO, 12. Harrison DEVENISH-MEARES (GK), 13. Pat WOOD, 16. Joel KING, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 20. Tiago QUINTAL, 23. Rhyan GRANT (c), 24. Paul OKON JNR, 26. Niko ALFARO, 30. Alexander ZAVERDINOS (GK), 32. Marcel TISSERAND, 33. Marin FRANCE, 36. Rhys YOULLEY, 41. Alexandar POPOVIC, 44. Akol AKON.
Unavailable: 1. Gus HOEFSLOOT (wrist), 10. Joe LOLLEY (hamstring), 22. Mathias MACALLISTER (international duty – Olyroos), 35. Al Hassan TOURE (calf).
Cover photo credit: Photomac/Cam McIntosh
