O. Sail

Oliver Sail is a goalkeeper for the Wellington Phoenix. > History 25-year-old Sail first joined the Phoenix Reserves in 2014, before signing his first senior professional contact with the club in March 2017. He made his A-League debut on 25 March 2018, against Brisbane Roar in a 2–2 draw. Sail also has international experience, having been picked for the New Zealand U-17 team in 2013 and then selected for the New Zealand U-20 team for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup - making his debut in the 0–0 draw against Ukraine. He would also start in the team’s 4–0 loss to the United States three days later. In 2014, Sail was called up to New Zealand's senior squad for friendlies against China and Thailand. > 2020/21 Season After playing a total of eight A-League matches from March 2018 to Feb 2021, Sail would get the starting nod at goalkeeper against Western Sydney Wanderers on 24 Feb 2021 – earning player of the match honours in the Club’s 2-2 draw. He would go on to play the last 20 matches of the 2020/21 season, earning praise as one of the most exciting and efficient goalkeepers in the A-League. For the season, Sail recorded six clean sheets across 20 matches, with a 78.4% save percentage – saving 87 of the 111 shots faced while only conceding 24. His Goals Saved Per Game rate of 4.35 was second in the A-League, behind only Western United’s Ryan Scott (4.42). Wellington Phoenix Coach Ufuk Talay says that Sail has made the most of the opportunities given to him this season. “Oli has been great for us this season and he’s earnt his place in the Starting XI thanks to his hard work and determination,” said Talay. “He’s a big personality on the team and the energy he brings is important for us; his teammates feed off of it and they have confidence knowing he’s behind them in goal.” Sail says that he is grateful for the opportunity provided to him this season. “It feels great to extend my time here at the Phoenix, it’s an opportunity that I jumped at – to play more A-League football – it’s something I’ve been wanting for a long time, the opportunity to play every week and win points for the Club,” said Sail. “I’ve been able to perform well this year when the opportunity came around; it all happened quite quickly when Uffy made the call and I’ve been able to make the position my own.” > 2021/22 Season Following his break-out A-League season, Sail signed a two-year extension with the Club in May 2021, locking him in with the Phoenix through the 2022-23 A-League season. Sail credits Coach Talay for his growth as a player over the past two seasons. “I’ve really enjoyed working with Uffy, his understanding of the game tactically is brilliant and he knows exactly what he wants from his players and how to get the best out of them; he’s given me the confidence to play my game, enjoy my football and do what I do best. “I’m really excited for the next couple of years, for myself personally it’s an opportunity to continue growing as a player and develop with the experience that comes from playing games every week in the A-League.”