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COACH UPDATE
WITH HEAD COACH, UFUK TALAY Wellington Phoenix Coach, Ufuk Talay, discusses a range of topics heading into tonight’s match against Perth Glory. On Wollongong Appreciation Month: For us, Wollongong has been great, it’s been a little bit tough with the restrictions in terms of getting out into the community but Wollongong is a footballing city - and we’ve got a doubleheader with the Wolves playing before us and we’re hoping we can get the community to come out and support us. The biggest challenge for us this season is not playing any games in front of our home fans so now that the restrictions have eased we’re trying to get our players out to more schools and engage with the community – so we’re hoping to get some bums on seats.
They’re always talking about how Wollongong should have an A-League club, so what a great opportunity for them [the community] to show that they can actually have a team here with 10,000 – 15,000 people at the stadium. On being away from Wellington: We’d love to come back to Wellington and play a few games there; I think the players miss it, we miss that atmosphere and I’m sure the fans miss us playing out at Sky Stadium. But it’s out of our hands. We’d love to come back as soon as the borders open but we’ll take it game by game. On preparing to face Perth: Perth have got some very influential players and a decent squad, but for me it’s all about us – and not them – and how we play
and what we do with the ball. We’re playing at home and it’s very important for us to get the three points – I don’t want us to be one of those teams that yo-yo around by winning one, drawing one, losing one; it’s very important for us to build consistency with these games coming up. On wearing the tracksuit: [Context: Instead of this typical suit, Talay wore a tracksuit on the sidelines during the Nix’s 2-0 win vs. Newcastle Jets]. We’re not superstitious but I think
we are superstitious with the boys as well, I think when we played Central Coast I wore my suit and then it started raining and I changed into my tracksuit and we won that game, and then the boys after the game were saying ‘you need to wear that tracksuit for the next game’ but I didn’t – I wore my suit. So I said ‘lets give the tracksuit a try again’ and we went from there, but if we’re relying on the tracksuit to win games then we’ve got a lot of problems! We’ll keep it a surprise [as to whether I wear my tracksuit again tonight].
PHOTOGRAPHY: Speed Media, Getty Images, Cameron MacIntosh (Photomac) PRINTING: University of Wollongong COPYRIGHT: Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited. DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Although all material is checked for accuracy, no liability is assumed by the publisher for any loss due to material in this magazine. All details are correct as at time of print.
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MW11 MATCH PREVIEW: WELLINGTON PHOENIX VS. PERTH GLORY The Wellington Phoenix face their Distance Derby rivals Perth Glory tonight, for the first time this season - in a re-match of their 2019/20 Elimination Finals clash in last season’s re-start.
from David Ball and Ben Waine; the club keeping their first clean sheet of the season and making their chances count with two goals scored from six goal attempts.
This match will also be the first game of the club’s Wollongong Appreciation Month in March, with the Phoenix playing three matches at WIN Stadium while wearing a Wollongong-themed red strip for the first time.
That win came at the end of a stretch of three matches played in seven days, in which the Nix claimed a respectable four points from a possible nine (1W, 1D, 1L), despite dealing with injuries to key players Tomer Hemed, Luke DeVere and Jaushua Sotirio - in addition to Ball’s suspension and the limited availability of
The Phoenix are coming off of a solid 2-0 win versus the Newcastle Jets last Sunday, thanks to goals
sparkplug Cameron Devlin. Coach Ufuk Talay used this stretch to give key minutes to a trio of youngsters in Oli Sail, Ben Waine and Liam McGing, and says they each have showed what they can do when given an opportunity – particularly against the Jets. “You’ve got to reward the players that they gone out there and played; they went out there, they did a good job and we came out with a clean sheet and two goals – you’ve got to reward the players for their efforts.’
“The players who played in the last match did a fantastic job, so we’ll look to possibly continue in the same direction with them.”
“And the players who played in the last match did a fantastic job, so we’ll look to possibly continue in the same direction with them.” The Nix will continue to tinker with their backline due to DeVere’s injury, having utilised both James McGarry and Joshua Laws at left back in recent matches, as well as a combination of McGing, Laws and Tim Payne as central defenders – the latter allowing Louis Fenton to slide into the right back role. The impending return of Steven Taylor in a fortnight’s time is also expected to bring added stability to this Phoenix backline. For Perth Glory, who currently sit in seventh place on the A-League ladder, a win tonight could see
them move into a coveted top six spot. The Glory have only played two games in the past month due of COVID-19 travel restrictions, and are coming off of a 2-0 loss in their last match against the top-seeded Central Coast Mariners. Prior to that loss, Perth had been on a three-game winning streak - scored seven goals in just three matches and leading the competition in both goals scored (19) and goal conversion rate (33%). Bruno Fornaroli has been at the forefront of their blistering attack, having scored four goals in his last six matches and six in total this season. But defence has been a concern for Perth, as they have allowed 15 goals (third-worst in the competition) and are the only team yet to record a clean sheet. Perth has chosen to go with Tando Velaphi in goal over the past five matches, after the Glory had conceded eight goals in their first two matches with Liam Reddy as their goalkeeper. Coach Talay says that Perth’s attacking strengths present a strong challenge to the Phoenix’s defensive line, but says it’s up to
how his players perform on the night.
“I have the belief in our players and what they can do, so we just need to continue to build that momentum.” “Perth have got some very influential players and a decent squad, but for me it’s all about us – and not them – and how we play and what we do with the ball,” says Talay. “We’re playing at home and it’s very important for us to get the three points – I don’t want us to be one of those teams that yo-yo around by winning one, drawing one, losing one; it’s very important for us to build consistency with these games coming up. “I have the belief in our players and what they can do, so we just need to continue to build that momentum.” The Wellington Phoenix take on Perth Glory tonight at WIN Stadium, Wollongong from 4.05pm AEDT (6.05pm NZ Time).
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HE’S BACK!: STEVEN TAYLOR RETURNS The Wellington Phoenix are excited to announce that Steven Taylor, their captain during the club’s record-setting 2019/20 season, will be returning to the Phoenix for the remainder of the 2020/21 A-League season in Wollongong. 35-year-old Taylor returns to the Phoenix after playing 49 games for the Wellington side from 2018 – 2020, scoring two goals and helping the club reach the A-League Finals in back-to-back seasons as one of its most popular players of all time.
Known as a top-level defender and a natural leader, Taylor boasts 11 seasons of Premier League experience, having made 268 appearances in total for Newcastle United before joining Portland Timbers in the MLS and then Ipswich Town and Peterborough United in the English Football League. Taylor has been based in India since September last year, playing for Odisha FC in the Indian Super League. Wellington negotiated an early release from his contract with Odisha in order for him to re-join the Phoenix.
Taylor says that he is excited at the prospect of re-joining his Phoenix teammates in Wollongong, and looks forward to playing for Phoenix fans on both sides of the Tasman. “I’m looking forward to joining back up with my teammates in Wollongong and working under Uffy [Ufuk Talay] again and doing my best for the Phoenix fans back in New Zealand and across Australia.” Coach Ufuk Talay says that Taylor brings a number of qualities to the team which will compliment what we already have in the squad. “Stevie is a class act and he’ll bring that leadership that we need in the backline, especially with Luke
[DeVere] out with injury,” says Talay. “As a player he brings a defensive presence and as a person he brings leadership and character to the team - he was very influential in the changing room for us last season and that’s what we want him to bring to the squad, in addition to his play on the field.” Taylor is now quarantining in Australia for a two-week period, and he will be assessed by the Football Staff on arrival in Wollongong with a view to integrating him into team training and match day squad selection as soon as possible. Taylor will again wear no. 27 for the Wellington Phoenix.
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