Wellington Phoenix Face First Away Trip Under Interim Coach The Wellington Phoenix are set to travel to Adelaide United for their first away match under interim coach Chris Greenacre. The game, scheduled for Friday night, marks a significant challenge for the team, which currently sits at the bottom of the A-League table. Adelaide, meanwhile, are in strong form, occupying fourth place on the ladder. Despite the odds, the visitors will look to draw inspiration from their previous encounters with the hosts, where they secured a win and a draw this season. Greenacre expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to compete at Coopers Stadium, one of the most vocal venues in the league. "I'd probably rephrase it, it's a place you want to go on a Friday night," he said. The coach emphasized the importance of playing in high-energy environments, particularly for the younger players in his squad. "These are the games you want to play in, where the crowd are close to the pitch, the atmosphere is electric," he added. Greenacre highlighted the need for his team to embrace the challenge and create a positive impact despite the pressure. However, the Phoenix face a setback ahead of the match with captain Alex Rufer suspended after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season during their previous game against Sydney. Rufer, a key leader both on and off the field, brings consistency and patience to the team, qualities that will be missed. Greenacre acknowledged the absence but stressed that it presents an opportunity for other players to step up. "It's a great opportunity for everyone grinding in together and making sure we have a positive impact," he said. The team also hopes to welcome back Tim Payne from a hamstring injury and top scorer Ifeanyi Eze, who is set to return from suspension.#wellington_phoenix #chris_greenacre #alex_rufer #adelaide_united #ifeanyi_eze
Squads named for Wellington Phoenix men’s A-League game in Adelaide Wellington Phoenix has confirmed its squad for Friday night’s A-League match against Adelaide United, with key players All White Tim Payne and leading goalscorer Ifeanyi Eze set to return to the team. Payne will make his first appearance since recovering from an injury, while Eze will resume action after serving a one-match suspension. Interim head coach Chris Greenacre has opted not to include captain Alex Rufer, who is suspended following a yellow card received in last weekend’s game against Sydney. The match will take place at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide and will be broadcast live by Sky Sport 4. Adelaide United’s squad includes 17 players, with two set to be omitted. The team features players such as Bart Vriends, Panagiotis Kikianis, and Ryan Kitto, among others. Austin Ayoubi has been added to the squad, replacing Bailey O’Neil, who is omitted. Craig Goodwin and Dylan Pierias are unavailable due to long-term injuries, while other players like Ethan Cox and Sotiri Phillis are listed as available. The squad also includes players like Yaya Dukuly and Joshua Smits, with Brody Burkitt and Panashe Madanha among the substitutes. Wellington Phoenix’s squad consists of 20 players, with two set to be omitted. Goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi and defenders Corban Piper and Manjrekar James are among the starters. Tim Payne and Ifeanyi Eze are included, with Payne returning from injury and Eze coming back from suspension. Anaru Cassidy has been promoted to the squad, while Alex Rufer and Xuan Loke are omitted. Players like Sarpreet Singh and Nathan Walker are unavailable due to injuries, and Eamonn McCarron is also omitted.#wellington_phoenix #chris_greenacre #adelaide_united #ifeanyi_eze #tim_payne
Wellington Phoenix Set for High-Stakes A-League Clash Against Adelaide United The Wellington Phoenix will make their first trip to Adelaide this Friday night as they prepare to face Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium. Head coach Chris Greenacre expressed enthusiasm for the challenge, highlighting the electric atmosphere of the venue and the importance of delivering a strong performance in front of a passionate crowd. The match, scheduled for 9:35 PM local time, will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 4 in New Zealand and Paramount+ in Australia. Greenacre emphasized the significance of playing in a stadium known for its lively environment, calling it “a place you want to go on a Friday night.” He praised the fans’ proximity to the pitch and the intensity of the atmosphere, framing it as an ideal setting for young players to gain experience. “These are the games you want to play in,” he said, adding that the team’s focus is on turning the crowd’s energy into momentum. The coach acknowledged Adelaide’s strength at home but stressed the importance of executing their gameplan to shift the match’s dynamics. The Phoenix’s recent 1-0 loss to Sydney FC was a setback for Greenacre, but he pointed to positive aspects of the performance, such as moments of control and creativity. “We reviewed the Sydney game, and while there were areas to improve, we highlighted the parts where the team excelled,” he explained. The quick turnaround before facing Adelaide meant limited preparation time, but Greenacre viewed it as an opportunity to build confidence and maintain focus. Player availability presents mixed challenges for the Phoenix. Captain Alex Rufer, suspended after accumulating five yellow cards, will miss the match, leaving a leadership gap.#wellington_phoenix #chris_greenacre #adelaide_united #ifeanyi_eze #coopers_stadium
Ifeanyi Eze to miss Wellington Phoenix’s first match under new coach Chris Greenacre due to suspension Wellington Phoenix will face their first challenge under new head coach Chris Greenacre this Sunday as they prepare to take on Sydney FC. However, the team will be without their top scorer, Ifeanyi Eze, who has been suspended for one match after receiving a yellow card in their previous game. Greenacre’s squad will also be missing key players due to injuries, including All Whites representatives Tim Payne and Sarpreet Singh. The provisional squad for the match includes three goalkeepers—Josh Oluwayemi, Albie Kelly-Heald, and Eamonn McCarron—who have been managing the position throughout the season due to recurring injuries. Greenacre will need to decide on Oluwayemi’s role, as the goalkeeper recently drew criticism after an own goal in a derby match. Despite the setbacks, the team has welcomed back Dan Edwards from injury and promoted Luke Supyk to the first-team squad, adding depth to the roster. The squad list includes the following players: [list of names]. Those not included are Ifeanyi Eze, Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, and Jayden Smith. Meanwhile, Tim Payne, Sarpreet Singh, and Nathan Walker are confirmed as unavailable due to injuries. Sydney FC has also finalized their squad for the match, featuring Marcel Tisserand, who is returning from a rest period, and Akol Akon, who has been promoted to the team. The Sydney squad includes [list of names]. The match will take place at Hnry Stadium in Wellington at 3 PM NZT and will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 2 in New Zealand and Paramount+ in Australia. This fixture is significant for both clubs, particularly for Greenacre, who aims to establish his coaching identity in his debut match.#sydney_fc #wellington_phoenix #chris_greenacre #ifeanyi_eze #hnry_stadium
