WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Wellington Phoenix dey prepare to face Perth Glory for dem last Isuzu UTE A-League match for dis season on Sunday evening, despite wet weather and strong winds wey don cause plenty wahala.
Coach Giancarlo Italiano don talk say e go give some young players chance to play as dem dey plan to end dem season on a high note. Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, 17, and Luke Brooke-Smith, 16, don catch eye for dem impressive performances in academy games.
“Gab was great last week in the academy and I want to reward him,” Italiano talk as e dey speak to media on Thursday. “Whether he starts or not that’s a different question, but I’d like to give him some game time.”
Sloane-Rodrigues yet to make appearance for the team dis season but don show promise for reserve matches, while Brooke-Smith dey push for im fourth start after making good impact in dem previous games.
Dis match go also be farewell for defenders Sam Sutton and Scott Wootton, wey don serve the club for almost 100 A-League games. Italiano confirm say e no go drop dem for new players because dem get experience wey fit help during the match.
“I’ll play the best team that’s available,” Italiano add. “It’ll be their last game at home as a Phoenix player and I want them to have a good send-off.”
Wellington Phoenix don already secure bottom four position for the season but dem dey look to build motivation to finish strong. Italiano dey optimistic say all players go give dem best regardless of dem current standing on the league table.
“I like to think all of our players, whatever game they play, are giving 100% and wanting to win,” he said. “We’ve built a very competitive environment.”
Meanwhile, weather fit affect the game, as red strong wind warning and orange heavy rain warning don dey active for Wellington. “If e stay like dis, we go change how we play,” Italiano don talk about wet weather conditions that don affect other teams before.
Wellington get good record against Perth Glory, as dem no dey lose dem last 11 matches against dem. Tim Payne go miss dis match due to injury, but de rest fit contribute well to give Phoenix an edge on Sunday.
The match between Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory go start by 5pm NZT and e go dey broadcast live for Sky Sport 3 in New Zealand and Paramount+ for Australia.
