The Wellington Phoenix face their first trip across the ditch under head coach Chris Greenacre this Friday night.
A high-flying Adelaide United team await at Coopers Stadium, though the Nix will take heart from a win and a draw in their two previous meetings this season.
Greenacre is embracing the challenge of a game at one of the loudest stadiums in the A-League.
“I’d probably rephrase it, it’s a place you want to go on a Friday night,” he told media pre-match. “I’m a big fan of Friday night football.
“Coopers Stadium in general has a great atmosphere, it’s often bouncing. We’re really excited by the challenge.
“You stress to the young players, these are the games you want to play in, where the crowd are close to the pitch, the atmosphere is electric, these are the environments you want to play in.
“They’re a good side, especially at home, but it’s our job to go and try and turn that crowd. It’s up to us to put in a solid performance and try and change that mentality.”
Last week’s 1-0 loss to Sydney was frustrating for the new head coach, but there were plenty of positives to take out of the performance in the short week before facing Adelaide.
“Obviously things don’t change overnight. We reviewed the Sydney game, there were parts of the game I was really pleased with, there were other parts I know we need to improve in.
“In such a small timeframe, it’s important to show the players the stuff you were really pleased with, and in a simple term, you recognise the moment.
“They can see that if we do get it right, we have the opportunity to create chances. It’s just giving them confidence to do that and execute that.
“We’ve looked at our gameplan to try and do the same against Adelaide.
“It’s been a quick turnaround so we haven’t had a lot of time, but that’s the cards that we’re dealt.”
There is mixed news on the availability front, with captain Alex Rufer suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Sydney.
“Obviously he’s our captain, our leader, and what he brings to a dressing room and the field, his quality as a footballer, he brings that consistency and patience.
“That will be a miss for us, but it means that the other players have to raise their game so that doesn’t become an issue.
“It’s a great opportunity for everyone grinding in together and making sure we have a positive impact.”
However, Friday will hopefully see the return of both Tim Payne from a hamstring injury and top scorer Ifeanyi Eze from suspension.
“Tim Payne has travelled, and he’ll play a part. We’re waiting on a couple of bits with him.
“[Eze’s] shown a different sort of prospect to what people have seen before.
“His workrate for the team is absolutely phenomenal, he’s got pace to burn, the unpredictability about him makes him a difficult prospect to handle at time.
“He’s scored some terrific goals this year.”
The round 20 Isuzu UTE A-League match between Adelaide United and the Wellington Phoenix is scheduled to kick off at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide at 9.35pm Friday, and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 4 in New Zealand, and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 11 January 2026 – Wellington Phoenix 2 Adelaide United 2
All-time A-League head-to-head: Phoenix 13W, Adelaide 24W & 16D.
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Manjrekar JAMES, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Ifeanyi EZE, 8. Paulo RETRE, 10. Nikola MILEUSNIC, 11. Carlo ARMIENTO, 12. Dan EDWARDS, 15. Isaac HUGHES, 16. Sander KARTUM, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 20. Ramy NAJJARINE, 23. Luke SUPYK, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 28. Bill TUILOMA, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 37. Anaru CASSIDY.
Unavailable: 9. Sarpreet SINGH (injured), 14. Alex RUFER (suspended) 19. Nathan WALKER (injured).
Adelaide United squad: TBC
Cover photo: WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – MARCH 01: Phoenix players form a huddle during the round 19 A-League Men match between Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC at Hnry Stadium, on March 01, 2026, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
