Wellington Phoenix have almost a full squad at their disposal for Saturday’s Round 8 Hyundai A-League clash against the Central Coast Mariners with centre back Dylan Fox the only injury ward casualty and All Whites Andrew Durante and Michael McGlinchey returning to action.
With last week’s away trip to Western Sydney Wanderers postponed after concerns about the playing surface, it’s allowed Scott Galloway to put a hamstring niggle behind him, and for the first time this season Phoenix could see captain Andrew Durante and Italian Marco Rossi partnered in a full-strength defensive backline.
For the visitors no New Zealand homecoming for Storm Roux who misses the trip due to injury alongside veteran Josh Rose but former Phoenix goal-poacher Blake Powell returns to selection alongside Spanish import Asdrubal, with skipper Alan Baro also returning from suspension.
Phoenix enjoy a rich run against Central Coast at home in recent years but under Paul Okon the Mariners have shown greater resilience this season. All signs suggest it could be a classic encounter with Okon squaring off against the man who once mentored him in the Netherlands.
Saturday’s ticket also includes free entry to see Phoenix Reserves play in the ISPS Handa Premiership – a great opportunity to come watch the Nix Generation of first team stars.
So gather the whanau, pack the picnic and settle in for a terrific double header!
Wellington Phoenix Squad: 1.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 2.Daniel MULLEN, 3.Scott GALLOWAY, 4.Goran PARACKI, 7.Gui FINKLER, 8.Dario VIDOSIC, 9.Andrija KALUDEROVIC, 10.Michael MCGLINCHEY, 11.Hamish WATSON, 12.Adam PARKHOUSE, 13.Marco ROSSI, 14.Alex RUFER, 16.Ali ABBAS, 19.Tom DOYLE, 21.Roy KRISHNA, 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 23.MATTHEW RIDENTON, 30.Keegan SMITH (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 3.Scott GALLOWAY (returns from injury), 10.Michael MCGLINCHEY (returns from international duty), 22.Andrew DURANTE (returns from international duty)
Outs: 6.Dylan FOX (hamstring, 2-3 weeks)
Unavailable: 6.Dylan FOX (hamstring, 2-3 weeks)
Central Coast Mariners Squad: 1.Ben KENNEDY (gk), 4.Jake McGING, 5.Antony GOLEC, 6.Tom HIARIEJ, 7.Andrew HOOLE, 8.Blake POWELL, 9.ASDRUBAL, 10.Daniel De SILVA, 11.Connor PAIN, 12.Trent BUHAGIAR, 13.Kwabena APPIAH, 14.Adam BERRY, 15.Alan BARO (c), 16. Liam ROSE, 17.Josh BINGHAM, 20.Adam PEARCE (gk), 21.Kye ROWLES, 23.Wout BRAMA
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 8.Blake POWELL (returns from injury), 9.ASDRUBAL (returns from injury), 15.Alan BARO (returns from suspension)
Outs: 19.Harry ASCROFT (omitted)
Unavailable: 2.Storm ROUX (ankle – 1 week), 3.Josh ROSE (calf – 1 week)
Match Details:
ISPS Handa Premiership & Hyundai A-League Double Header
Wellington Reserves v Southern United FC, Westpac Stadium, 4.45pm
Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners, Westpac Stadium, 7.35pm.
Watch around the nation on Sky Sport 3, coverage starts at 4.30pm with a special preview show, brought to you by adidas from 7.05pm.
Your ticket to the A-League match gets you free entry to the ISPS Handa Premiership as well – double the Phoenix, double the action, double the value!
Tickets: here.
