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Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Alex Rufer shoots from the edge of the box during a meeting with Sydney FC last season.
Coach Ufuk Talay hopes the relocated Wellington Phoenix can start the new A-League season better than the last as they seek an elusive first win over their old club Sydney FC.
Phoenix lost the first four games of Talay’s tenure last season, but bounced back for their best result before being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
Although they want to make a quick start, the Phoenix received a difficult first assignment against the reigning champions at their adopted home in Wollongong on Saturday after their original first game against Brisbane Roar was postponed.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay wants to start racing against Sydney FC.
The Phoenix drew one and lost two of their three meetings with Sydney last season, but played some of their best football against the Sky Blues and lamented a terror failure from the usually trustworthy Ulises Dávila in their 2-2 draw.
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“I don’t think I want to start like we started last season with the four losses. It makes life a lot more difficult towards the end of the season with the points you have given away, ”said Talay.
“If I look at those four games, if we had scored at least seven points, we probably could have finished higher than we finished, so it’s very important that we start strong, and what a great chance to play the last champions of the year.
“The guys will definitely be willing to do it. The preseason has been good, playing against some A-League rivals in Australia, and also not having to start from scratch has been very important for us, based on what we achieved last season.
Phoenix will be without injured midfielder Reno Piscopo for Saturday’s opener, while Talay said he was prepared to ease his two late arrivals; Dávila and the signing of the marquee Tomer Hemed, from the bench.
STUFF
Phoenix pick Clayton Lewis hopes to play his way back to the All Whites.
Dávila and Hemed were forced to spend two weeks in controlled isolation after traveling from Mexico and England, respectively, and the newly appointed captain Dávila did not participate in the preseason.
Talay said that new signings Clayton Lewis and Mirza Muratovic were in contention to replace Piscopo, but that there was a possibility that both could start if Davila did not.
“There are some players who have gone through the quarantine and have had less preseason than others, so it will take time, but I don’t think it will take long,” Talay said.
“They are training thoroughly with the team, which is important, and the main thing is that hopefully we can give them playing time to improve them a little faster, but the guys who have been here since day one have had a very good preparation. season, so I hope they are ready for a big challenge. “
Sydney has the most stable team in the league, but has yet to replace England forward Adam le Fondre. Olyroo Trent Buhagiar is poised to join All Whites star Kosta Barbarouses in a fast in front of two.
Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC
WIN Stadium, Wollongong; Saturday 7:05 pm.
