Head Coach Ufuk Talay and his new side will continue preparations for the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season with a 10-day pre-season camp in New South Wales, Australia.
The Wellington Phoenix side are now up to 20 first team players and the pre-season camp will help prepare them for their opening day fixture against Western United on 13 October at Westpac Stadium.
Talay is looking forward to the camp and believes it’s a great way to continue the progression while in an intensive environment.
‘‘This will be a good experience for the team as we look toward the opening game of the season,’’ said Talay.
‘‘This is a new, young, side and it will take time for the players to gel together and, especially for the youth, to get used to training and playing at the level required in the A-League.
‘We’re constantly working hard on the training pitch to progress and better ourselves every day and it will be good to intensify that while in Australia.’’
As part of the pre-season camp, the side will face off against an NPL side and two Hyundai A-League oppositions with the fixtures being held behind closed doors. Talay is looking forward to the challenge.
‘‘We need to test ourselves against the teams we will come up against in the season as it serves as a good indicator in terms of where we’re currently at.
‘’It will also provide confidence to our team that we can compete at a high level in this year’s competition.’’
Travelling Squad
1. Stefan MARINOVIC (GK), 2. Liam MCGING, 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Te Atawhai HUDSON-WIHONGI 5. Matti STEINMANN, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Reno PISCOPO, 8. Cameron DEVLIN, 9. David BALL, 10. Ulises DÁVILA, 11. Jaushua SOTIRIO, 13. Liberato CACACE, 14. Alex RUFER, 16. Louis FENTON, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 20. Oliver SAIL, 21. Callum MCCOWATT, 23. Walter SCOTT, 27. Steven TAYLOR, 31. Ben WAINE, 32. Sam Sutton
