The Wellington Phoenix have made the most of the extra week to prepare for Saturday’s match against Macarthur FC.
The Isuzu UTE A-League resumes this weekend after the international break, with the Phoenix playing host to the Bulls at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano has mixed feelings as to whether the break came at a good time for his side.
“It was good to alleviate some of the niggles and some of the boys had a little bit of fatigue…but in terms of going out and wanting to play and execute and fix some of the things that we’ve identified, it’s a little bit frustrating when you don’t play for two weeks,” Italiano told media on Friday.
“You get a little bit of good and a little bit of bad, but we’ve made the most out of these two weeks.
“We’ve worked on principle and philosophy stuff, which has been great. We’ve also been able to readdress some of our attacking principles…so in that respect it’s been very good.
“But the frustrating thing is not playing in two weeks you’re just itching to get back to play well.”
What has also frustrated Italiano was the team’s failure to capitalise on playing against a 10-men Auckland FC side prior to the international break.
“The emotion consumed the players I think in terms of they felt like they needed to capitalise then and there which went away from what we were doing. That’s something that was addressed.
“It was a really good opportunity for us to delve down into game management and what’s required when things like that happen, and that the process is the most important thing. The players agreed with that.
“I also showed them some stats that showed the markers of how we’re doing well this season and that if the trend continues, we’ll get rewarded. It was a good reflection.”
He is sticking to the much talked about high line.
“The boys have all bought into it. It’s more execution errors at the moment as opposed to issues with the tactics themselves. |
“With the least amount of shots in the league at the moment conceded against us, it is working, it’s just that we need to be switched on for the whole 90 in order for it to work effectively.
“We had a review straight after the Auckland game and addressed a couple of issues, but what I wanted to see was a response after the game and the energy has been very good.”
Giancarlo Italiano is welcoming back Manjrekar James for Saturday’s match after the Canadian centre back missed the past two matches with a quad strain.
“It’s good, especially with Payney (Tim Payne) out. A little bit of seniority in the backline is very important, especially when things get a little bit tense during games you rely on that experience.
“He’s a loud character, he’s a very good defender and he’ll be very important for us as the season progresses.”
Captain Alex Rufer is expected to feature against the Bulls too, fresh from returning from New Jersey where he started and played 81 minutes for the All Whites in their final international of the year against Ecuador.
The Phoenix have won eight of their previous 13 encounters with Macarthur FC, who enter the round a place and a point behind Wellington on the A-League ladder.
Italiano is full of respect for the Bulls and a number of their players.
“We’ve identified Bratts (Luke Brattan) as their playmaker. He’s a very good player, very good on the ball and likes to run the game so we need to give him a bit of attention and make sure that he doesn’t get a stranglehold of the possession.
“[Harry] Sawyer is a direct outlet, he’s very good, and Anthony Caceres is a very good player, technically very good and a smart player.
“We need to make sure we neutralise their threats. They’re going to be a tough team to play.”
The round five Isuzu UTE A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Macarthur FC is scheduled to kick-off at Sky Stadium in Wellington at 5pm Saturday and will be broadcast LIVE and free on Sky Open and LIVE on Sky Sport 3 in New Zealand, and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 20 January 2025 – Macarthur FC 1 Wellington Phoenix 2
All-time A-League head-to-head: Phoenix 8W, Macarthur 3W & 2D.
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Manjrekar JAMES, 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 7. Ifeanyi EZE, 11. Carlo ARMIENTO, 12. Dan EDWARDS, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 17. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 20. Ramy NAJJARINE, 23. Luke SUPYK, 24. Xuan LOKE, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 37. Anaru CASSIDY, 39. Jayden SMITH, 40. Eamonn MCCARRON (gk).
Unavailable: 6. Tim PAYNE (injured), 8. Paulo RETRE (injured), 9. Hideki ISHIGE (injured), 10. Nikola MILEUSNIC (injured), 19. Nathan WALKER (injured).
Macarthur FC squad (two to be omitted): 1. Alex ROBINSON (gk), 3. Damien DA SILVA, 5. Matthew JURMAN, 6. Tomislav USKOK, 7. Sime GRZAN, 8. Luke VICKERY, 10. Anthony CACERES, 11. BERNARDO, 12. Filip KURTO (c), 13. Rafael DURAN MARTINEZ, 14. Kristian POPOVIC, 17. Oliver RANDAZZO, 18. Walter SCOTT, 19. Harry POLITIDIS, 22. Liam ROSE, 25. Callum TALBOT, 26. Luke BRATTAN (c), 28. Harrison SAWYER, 29. Zane HELWEH, 33. Dong-won JI.
Unavailable:9. Chris IKONOMIDIS (injured), 24. Dean BOSNJAK (injured), 31. Sebastian KRSLOVIC (injured), 35. Henrique OLIVEIRA (international duty).
Main image: The Wellington Phoenix warm-up for training at NZCIS on Friday. Photo: Cam McIntosh/Photomac.
