Phoenix Under Pressure

The Wellington Phoenix face a daunting challenge as they prepare to take on Macarthur FC in Monday night’s Isuzu UTE A-League clash at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in Sydney. The squad has been stretched thin, with six key players sidelined and coach Giancarlo Italiano left with just 19 fit players to field, including uncontracted reserve midfielder Lachlan Candy.

Injury Woes Take Their Toll

The Phoenix lineup is plagued by absences, including versatile defender Matt Sheridan, who suffered a concussion in last Wednesday’s draw against Sydney FC. Sheridan joins captain Alex Rufer, Tim Payne, Marco Rojas, Stefan Colakovski, and Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues on the unavailable list. Adding to the difficulty, Iraq international Mo Al-Taay’s departure leaves Italiano scrambling to assemble a competitive squad.

Despite these setbacks, there’s a silver lining: fullback Sam Sutton has recovered from a knock sustained in the Sydney match and is confirmed to start. “At the moment, whoever can run will start,” Italiano stated, demonstrating his determination to field a fighting XI.

The Coach’s Optimism in the Face of Adversity

Giancarlo Italiano remains steadfast in his belief that his team can rise above these challenges. “We were shorthanded last game and the game before, yet these guys all pulled through with very good performances,” he told the media.

Italiano sees promise in his squad’s recent outings, particularly their performance against Adelaide and Sydney. “The team is going through a bit of suffering, which is good—it’s part of becoming a better team. We’re going to grind game-by-game and stick to what we believe in.”

Players like Corban Piper, Nathan Walker, and Lukas Kelly-Heald are stepping up in this testing period, offering Italiano a glimmer of hope amid the injury crisis.

Lessons Learned from the Last Encounter

The Phoenix’s previous meeting with Macarthur FC ended in a 2-1 defeat at Sky Stadium, largely due to defensive lapses. Italiano emphasized the importance of staying focused for the full 90 minutes, saying, “We won’t be making those mistakes again.”

Despite sitting 10th on the ladder and trailing Macarthur by seven points, Italiano remains focused on performance over standings. “If we keep performing like we did in the last couple of games, the outcome will work itself out,” he said.

Squad Depth Tested to Its Limits

The Phoenix’s available lineup will be pushed to its limits, with Italiano likely to rely heavily on a mix of seasoned players and emerging talent. Meanwhile, Macarthur, sitting comfortably in fifth place, will look to capitalize on Wellington’s struggles.

Wellington Phoenix Squad:

1. Josh Oluwayemi (gk), 3. Corban Piper, 4. Scott Wootton, 5. Fin Roa Conchie, 7. Kosta Barbarouses, 8. Paulo Retre, 9. Hideki Ishige, 15. Isaac Hughes, 18. Lukas Kelly-Heald, 19. Sam Sutton, 23. Luke Supyk, 25. Kazuki Nagasawa, 29. Luke Brooke-Smith, 30. Alby Kelly-Heald (gk), 36. Xuan Loke, 39. Jayden Smith, 41. Nathan Walker, 46. Lachlan Candy.

Unavailable: 6. Tim Payne, 11. Stefan Colakovski, 14. Alex Rufer (c), 17. Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, 21. Marco Rojas, 27. Matt Sheridan.

Macarthur FC Squad:
Notable inclusions: Daniel De Silva, Filip Kurto, Valère Germain (c).

A Game to Prove Their Resilience

The Phoenix face a steep climb as they battle injuries, a depleted squad, and a formidable Macarthur side. Monday’s match is more than a test of skill—it’s a measure of the team’s resilience and ability to adapt under pressure.