Wellington Phoenix under new boss, Giancarlo Italiano, will be looking to make a successful start in his first competitive match in charge against NPL Queensland outfit Peninsula Power in the Australia Cup 2023 Round of 32.
Both sides exited the competition at the quarter final stage last year, with the New Zealanders succumbing to eventual winners Macarthur FC.
Club: Wellington Phoenix
Home ground: Sky Stadium
Founded: 2007
Australia Cup Final Rounds appearances (inc. 2023): Nine
Best result: Semi Finals (2021)
Head Coach: Giancarlo Italiano
Australia Cup Record
- 2014 – Round Of 32
- 2015 – Round Of 16
- 2016 – Round Of 32
- 2017 – Round Of 32
- 2018 – Round Of 32
- 2019 – Round Of 32
- 2020 – Competition not held
- 2021 – Semi Finals
- 2022 – Quarter Finals
Having won just once in the first six years of the tournament, the Phoenix have improved, reaching the Semi-Finals and the last eight in the previous two iterations.
But they will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the last time they faced a Queensland NPL team, after suffering a penalty shootout loss against Brisbane Strikers in 2019.
It promises to be an intriguing tie.
Ins & Outs
In: Mohamed Al-Taay (Newcastle Jets), Jack Duncan (Newcastle Jets), Lukas Kelly-Heald (promoted)
Re-signed:
Out: Oli Sail (Perth Glory), Clayton Lewis (Macarthur FC), Steven Ugarkovic (Melbourne City), Josh Laws, Nikko Boxall, Callan Elliot, Lucas Mauragis (loan ended), Yan Sasse
Match Details:
Peninsula Power v Wellington Phoenix
Date: Friday, 4 August 2023
Time: 7:30pm AEST
Venue: A J Kelly Park
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