Wellington Phoenix: Season 2012-13. [Oceania's only professional team (in A-League)]

AllWhitebeliever · Jul 9, 2012

Ok, time to start the pre-season guff.

Dated 28/06/2012

Conflict between club and country appears inevitable unless the Wellington Phoenix are successful in forcing a change to the A-League's draw.
The Phoenix yesterday sent a formal letter to Football Federation Australia arguing that the league's integrity would be compromised by the club having to play fixtures during Fifa international windows in October and March.
But the noises from FFA headquarters so far haven't been encouraging for Phoenix ears.
Under Fifa rules the Phoenix are required to release all players called up for the Oceania stage three World Cup qualifiers on October 12 and 16 and March 22 and 26.
And Phoenix and All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has a clause in his contract which makes him a New Zealand Football employee during Fifa windows.
But yesterday Herbert was surprisingly bullish about coaching a Phoenix team complete with its international players in games against the Heart (October 14) and the Jets (March 23).
"We just have to work through it in the smartest, [most] professional way that we can," Herbert said.
It is a staggering development given that the All Whites just crashed out of the Oceania Nations Cup and with it lost their ticket to next year's Confederations Cup.
Have any lessons been learnt from Honiara?
NZF chief executive Grant McKavanagh was reluctant to play hardball with Herbert until the Phoenix's discussions with the FFA were complete.
"We hope sanity would prevail and we can come to an agreement where those particular games are moved outside the windows," McKavanagh said.
"But it's pretty clear to us that we have to put the strongest side possible out for all these games and make sure we give ourselves the absolute ultimate opportunity to get through to the intercontinental playoff. I haven't had a discussion with Rick in relation to it just yet and we just have to have a look at exactly how that works."
There is no doubt both the Phoenix and NZF have been handed a dud hand by the FFA.
But if push comes to shove surely World Cup qualifiers take precedence over the A-League.
Even Phoenix general manager David Dome seemed resigned to that on Tuesday, saying: "I'm sure Ricki and the All Whites are going to want those players in camp for that time. Even if we wanted to it's very difficult to pull players out of one camp and put them into our starting lineup and then have them leave right after. It would disrupt both programmes and I don't think it's likely, put it that way."

But Herbert reckoned an October juggling act involving up to seven players was possible.
The All Whites are away to Tahiti on October 12 before the Phoenix meet the Heart in Melbourne on the 14th and then the All Whites host Tahiti on the 16th. That's three games in five days in three different countries for two different teams.
"The opening game on the 12th, we could probably get players to Melbourne in time; it's not ideal that they don't have windows, that's the first thing," Herbert said.
"There are a lot of grey areas that we'll cross when we get there. Once I speak to the players here too, it's about how many of these guys are going to be in the squad? I mean if [Winston] Reid plays and [Ryan] Nelsen plays and [Tommy] Smith plays and [Marco] Rojas plays and [Kosta] Barbarouses plays and [Chris] Wood. Potentially how many will play?"
Meanwhile, Herbert said the Phoenix, who kick off their season in Wellington on October 6, hoped to announce a new assistant coach within "the next week or so."
Chris Greenacre was one of several "good possibilities" but it was more likely the Englishman would work with the club's academy system, which may extend to Auckland and Christchurch.
Click to expand...

AllWhitebeliever · Jul 9, 2012

New Phoenix recruits settling in

It is a case of something old, something new for Glen Moss and Jeremy Brockie.
The two All Whites have found job security in Wellington with the Phoenix after experiencing the A-League's ups and downs in Australia.
Moss played 33 games in goal for the Phoenix between 2007 and 2009 before spending three seasons with Melbourne Victory and the now defunct Gold Coast United.
During those years the now 29-year-old remained close with several Phoenix players and it was an easy decision to rejoin his old team-mates once it was clear Gold Coast were toast.
It is a similar story for Brockie, who has left the shaky Newcastle Jets, with the Phoenix becoming his fifth A-League club at the age of 24.
Both men are house-hunting with their wives after signing three-year deals and are enthusiastic about helping the club take the next step after three straight finals appearances.
"I've kept in touch with a lot of the boys over the years and with the national team so it's just like coming home really," Moss said.
The Phoenix opened training on Monday but come season start in October the spotlight will fall on the renewed goalkeeping battle between Moss and Mark Paston.
Despite the rivalry the two keepers are friends and both have injuries to recover from before ripping into their work with another returnee, keeping coach Jonathan Gould.
Moss hasn't played since tearing his adductor muscle in December and, while stopping shots freely, is a month away from resuming full kicking duties.
Paston is about six weeks away from action after surgery to remove screws dating back to a previous broken leg.
"He seems to always do this, I get my injuries at the wrong time. The big man, he can time it perfectly, just at the start of the pre-season when it's nice and chilly," Moss said.
"But I'm looking forward to working with both Pasty and Gouldy. He's one of the highly respected goalkeeping coaches in the league so when Ricki said that he was coming back, it made my decision a lot easier."
Moss said the lack of a full-time keeping coach was a big factor in him leaving the Phoenix in the first place.
The irony was he had to put up with part-time help at Gold Coast as well.
"It's frustrating. You think once you turn pro those days of the goalkeeper going in the corner and standing there on your own are behind you. I've got a big couple of years coming up with the All Whites as well, so I need to get myself in a stable environment."
Moss was looking forward to working behind experienced defenders Andrew Durante, Ben Sigmund and Tony Lochhead and supported the signing of Solomon Islands striker Benjamin Totori.
"He ripped up that Nations Cup so I think he'll open a few eyes," Moss said.
Brockie said the heavy All Whites flavour at the Phoenix meant it felt like he'd been at the club "for a couple of years, not just a couple of weeks".
After a career-best season with the Jets, Brockie was already enjoying discussions with Paul Ifill around how the two strikers would break down opposition defences.
The pace of Brockie and Totori will give the Phoenix attack a different dimension.
"I've played against Benji a couple of times and played with him at Richmond as well. He's a very good player, a typical islander, unpredictable and knows where the goal is. It's a good signing and I'm sure whether he starts games or comes off the bench, he's going to be a handful for defenders."
Click to expand...

AllWhitebeliever · Jul 9, 2012

Phoenix tipped to tour India

Phoenix

The Phoenix are exploring the possibility of a pre-season tour to India.
Gareth Morgan, one of the Phoenix's owners, said yesterday that the trip was "getting closer and closer to being consummated."
The idea came from retired Phoenix player Tim Brown, who represented the New Zealand Professional Footballers Association in India in May. The Phoenix are also expected to confirm a pre-season game against the Central Coast Mariners, in Christchurch, in September.
The Phoenix kick off the A-League on October 6 and remain on the hunt for an overseas striker.
Mirjan Pavlovic has been loaned out to play in Sydney during the pre-season.
Click to expand...

AllWhitebeliever · Jul 9, 2012

Date changes unlikely for Phoenix

SAM WORTHINGTON
SPORTS REPORTER

Photosport
HOME BOYS: The Wellington Phoenix will play 12 of their 14 home games at Wellington Stadium next season.

A Wellington Phoenix plea to rearrange the A-League calendar is expected to fall on deaf ears.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) is mulling over a Phoenix request to shift the dates of their games against Melbourne Heart (October 14) and Newcastle Jets (March 23).
Both games fall inside Fifa's international window and the Phoenix stand to be badly affected because of their heavy international contingent.
As well as being coached by All Whites boss Ricki Herbert, the club has six New Zealand internationals on its roster in addition to Solomon Islands striker Benjamin Totori. It makes for a logistical nightmare as both the All Whites and the Solomon Islands play Oceania stage three World Cup qualifiers on October 12 and 16 and then March 22 and 26.
The Phoenix argue that the clash compromises the integrity and quality of the league, given the club may have to field severely understrength teams. While discussions are ongoing, it is understood a change to the draw is unlikely.
"FFA has a policy for the Hyundai A-League not to break for Fifa dates," a federation spokesman said yesterday. "We are in discussion with the club in relation to the clashes, however, at this stage, no change has been made in the 2012-13 season draw."
Should the draw remain the same, Herbert has signalled his intention to try and juggle resources between club and country.
That puts the ball at the feet of New Zealand Football (NZF) chief executive Grant McKavanagh.
Under the contractual arrangement, Herbert is an NZF employee during Fifa windows while clubs are obligated to release players for international duty.
McKavanagh had said NZF was committed to the All Whites fielding the "strongest side possible" for all the World Cup qualifiers. However, he was waiting for the FFA to make an official decision before firming up plans with Herbert.
While the Phoenix have every right to feel aggrieved by the FFA scheduling, it should not have come as a great surprise given Australia is a member of the Asian Football Confederation.
Any attempts to amend the original draw would no doubt raise the ire of the Heart and the Jets, and make a messy situation worse.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand venues for the three home World Cup qualifiers are not expected to be announced until the end of the month as NZF continues discussions with stadium officials.

The NZF review into last month's failed Oceania Nations Cup campaign is under way.
However, it is likely to take some time as players are tracked down around the world.
Click to expand...

AllWhitebeliever · Jul 9, 2012

Ben Sigmund renews Phoenix vows

Getty Images
Ben Sigmund

Phoenix defender Ben Sigmund has re-committed to the Wellington Phoenix for the next three years.
Sigmund, 31, had one year left on his contract, but has had two more years added on to take him through to the end of 2015.
Winner of the Phoenix Player of the Year award for the past two seasons, Sigmund had no intention of playing anywhere else providing the Wellington club still wanted him.
"I could have looked at other options, but honestly there is nowhere else I wanted to be," Sigmund said.
"My family is here and I love this club so why move if they want me to stay.
"They have looked after me with an improved contract and it being for three years gives me security for the family."
Sigmund debuted for the Wellington club in 2008 and has gone on to play 91 games.
"Ben has had a couple of excellent seasons and played a leading role in us reaching the playoffs in the last three years," said head coach Ricki Herbert.
"It is also testament to the culture at the club that he wants to continue playing for it."
Click to expand...

AllWhitebeliever · Jul 9, 2012

Michael Boxall tipped to sign with Phoenix

SAM WORTHINGTON
SPORTS REPORTER

Photosport
COVER: The Wellington Phoenix are in talks with off-contract All Whites centre back Michael Boxall.

The Wellington Phoenix are in talks with off-contract All Whites centre back Michael Boxall as the A-League club firm up plans for a three-game pre-season tour of India.
Boxall was released by the Vancouver Whitecaps last month and Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert is keen to sign the 23-year-old to provide cover for Andrew Durante and Ben Sigmund.
A Phoenix spokesman said yesterday that no deal had been confirmed, while an Australian report quoted a North American source saying Boxall was mulling over a two-year contract offer.
"The offer is there for him," SBS's The World Game website reported.
"It's up to him where he goes from here but the Phoenix is certainly an option for him. He's played at all levels for his country and he is looking for a new challenge."
The strapping Boxall is a good athlete but would be a back-up behind captain Durante and two-time player of the season Sigmund, unless Herbert shifted Sigmund to right back.
The Phoenix have 17 players on their books and want to complete a 21-man squad with a striker, a centre back and two under-21 players.
Uruguayan midfielder Joaquin Noy is still in Wellington on trial but the Phoenix have just one import slot remaining and are looking at filling that with a foreign striker, possibly on loan.
The Phoenix are also close to finalising a three-match pre-season tour of India.
Retired Phoenix midfielder Tim Brown has driven the idea after representing the New Zealand Professional Footballers Association in India in May.
The plan is for the Phoenix to play the Jets in Newcastle in late August before flying to India.
It's understood one of the games will be against Kolkata club Prayag United, who last month signed former Melbourne Victory star Carlos Hernandez.
The Phoenix open the A-League season at home to Sydney FC on October 6.
Click to expand...

AllWhitebeliever · Jul 9, 2012

Wellington Phoenix sign 'smiley, talented' Totori

SAM WORTHINGTON
SPORTS REPORTER

Photosport
SHARP-SHOOTER: Benjamin Totori (left) celebrates a goal against the All Whites with team-mate Jack Wetney.

He will frustrate Phoenix fans as well as thrill them, but overall Neil Emblen is confident Benjamin Totori will successfully handle the step up to the A-League.
The Solomon Islands striker yesterday signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix with an option for a second season should his performances warrant it.
It will make Totori the second player from the Pacific Islands to crack the A-League, behind countryman Henry Fa'arodo who had 11 appearances for Perth Glory in 2005-06.
The diminutive 26-year-old was electric at the Oceania Nations Cup in his homeland this month, scoring three goals in two games against Ricki Herbert's All Whites.
He has been similarly prolific in the New Zealand league with Manawatu and Waitakere United, but injury cut short a stint with the Portland Timbers in 2008.
Former English professional Emblen played with and coached Totori at Waitakere and witnessed his sizzling form in Honiara firsthand as part of Herbert's coaching staff.
"He's a great talent and he looked head and shoulders above anybody in Honiara. He's capable of doing some breathtaking stuff and a few of the Phoenix boys witnessed it firsthand. He was just on fire," Emblen said.
"He'll go in with a lot of confidence from day one and feel he deserves to be there."
Totori's experience in New Zealand means Wellington's wind and rain wouldn't faze him and Emblen also believed he could cope with the A-League's physicality.
"It won't worry him but you have to take the rough with the smooth at times with Benji. He'll run at people and there's times where it doesn't come off. But I'm sure there will be more people excited about him trying it than getting on his case if he does lose the ball. I think he'll be a crowd favourite. He's a smiley guy who everybody likes. I'm actually surprised it's taken so long for a pro club to take him. That physicality, I don't see too many people smashing into Benji because he's so nimble and he rides tackles. It's a new level but he's worked hard on his game in the last 12 months and it looks like he's grown up as a person in the last 12 months as well."

Totori said he followed the A-League closely and knew that it would be a big step up in quality and professionalism.
There had been some interest from clubs in South America but he chose the Phoenix because he felt "at home in New Zealand".
He is friends with Wellington-based footballers Fa'arodo, Michael Fifii and Phil Imray and his girlfriend will join him for a month before returning to the Solomon Islands for studies.
"It's a big move for me," Totori said. "When I was in New Zealand playing for Waitak I always wanted to play for the Phoenix. I was really happy with my performances at the Nations Cup and the mindset I've got now. Everybody here is excited, my family too."
He was enthusiastic at the prospect of playing up front with Phoenix star Paul Ifill. "I've watched him play, he's a good player and I'm so grateful to get the chance to play alongside him. I'll work hard.
"It won't be easy but in football anything can happen."
Click to expand...

AllWhitebeliever · Jul 9, 2012

Dani Sanchez to stay with Phoenix

SAM WORTHINGTON

Getty Images
OVER THE TOP: Central Coast's Joshua Rose jumps over the back of Phoenix midfielder Dani Sanchez during their A-League match in Gosford.

Talented Spanish midfielder Dani Sanchez will be with the Wellington Phoenix for the 2012-13 A-League season.
Phoenix general manager David Dome confirmed today that Sanchez, currently on holiday in his homeland, has signed another one-year contract with the club.
''We are delighted to have secured Dani's services for another year,'' Dome said.
''He is a player who has shown he has the qualities needed for the A-League.''
Sanchez's signing brings the number of players confirmed for next season to 15, with negotiations continuing with a number of others.
''We've been steadily working on the roster and it is progressing well,'' Dome said.
Head coach Ricki Herbert, currently with the All Whites heading into the OFC Nations Cup, sees Sanchez as an important part of the Phoenix set-up.
''Dani showed he had real quality last season and it was just unfortunate that, at times, circumstances forced us to play him in what was possibly not his best position,'' Herbert said.
''With the squad we are putting together I'm confident Dani will be able to play to his true potential.
''He is talented and has great vision.''

Players confirmed on the roster for the 2012-13 season are: Mark Paston, Glen Moss, Manny Muscat, Ben Sigmund, Andrew Durante, Tony Lochhead, Leo Bertos, Paul Ifill, Jeremy Brockie, Mirjan Pavlovic, Cameron Lindsay, Vince Lia, Jimmy Downey, Dani Sanchez, Lucas Pantelis. dated 29/05/2012
Click to expand...

AllWhitebeliever · Jul 9, 2012

Two A-league spots dangled in front of young guns

SAM WORTHINGTON

ROSS GIBLIN/FAIRFAX NZ
STARS IN THEIR EYES: Wellington Phoenix's nine inaugural ``school of excellence'' players. Left to right: Scott Basalaj, Tom Doyle, Tom Biss, Luke Rowe, Louis Fenton, Justin Gulley, Tyler Boyd, Alec Solomons and Hamish Watson.

First they will have to earn their stripes running out cones and filling up water bottles.
But Wellington Phoenix's nine inaugural "school of excellence" players yesterday had the ultimate carrot dangled in front of them in the form of a professional A-League contract.
The nine promising youngsters – now including Lower Hutt City striker Hamish Watson – will train fulltime with the Phoenix and play for both the club's reserve side and Team Wellington in the national league next season.
But there is also every chance a couple could feature in the A-League after coach Ricki Herbert revealed the nine were basically on trial for the two remaining under-21 contracts.
"They've got their foot in the door and they're in the shop window," Herbert said after the Phoenix's first preseason training at Newtown Park yesterday.
"That opportunity hasn't been here in New Zealand ever, so it's pretty exciting. It's a real statement and the club's needed this."
Tawa's Louis Fenton was one of the less starry-eyed members of the nine, given that he trained with the Phoenix at times last season. The 19-year-old midfielder/forward is an exciting attacking prospect with a touch of Marco Rojas potential about him.
"I was playing in Melbourne, got a call a month ago and everything changed," Fenton said.
"It gives me an opportunity to see on a fulltime basis what it takes to be a professional and also, being a local boy, it's the team you always wanted to play for.
"It's definitely a bit intimidating the first time you see them in person, compared to on TV. You look up to them, for sure, so to get a chance to play with them is just awesome. It's also our opportunity to show we're the best young players in the country because there will be people saying that we're not. So we've just got to prove them wrong."
Lucas Pantelis' injury setback means the Phoenix are likely now to put together a squad of 21 players, rather than the minimum 20.
With 17 on the books, Herbert would like the remaining four signings to be a striker and a centre back in addition to two under-21 players.
The Phoenix are in talks with an overseas striker and, while not giving away much, Herbert was "hopeful that we might get that over the line".
A 19-year-old midfielder from Uruguay, Joaquin Noy, is scheduled to arrive in Wellington on Thursday for a trial to fill the one remaining import spot. Noy is the captain of the reserve team at Montevideo Wanderers, who play in Uruguay's premier division.
All Whites centre back Michael Boxall is also on Herbert's radar after being cut by the Vancouver Whitecaps, although salary-cap constraints could make signing him tricky.
"I haven't spoken to Michael but that's a possible discussion. If we could get him under the cap then it's a chance."
Herbert was resigned to probably being without Pantelis for the first game of the season on October 6. The midfielder will undergo further surgery in August once the infection in his injured knee subsides.
Mark Paston and Jimmy Downey didn't train yesterday but Herbert expected both to be fit.

Paston has had screws removed (remnants from a previous broken leg) but Herbert said he should be fully fit in six weeks.
Manny Muscat and Vince Lia may well switch places.
Herbert said Muscat, a regular at right back last season, would definitely play in midfield, with Lia a strong chance to play right back. "I think he'd be very comfortable there."
Click to expand...

msilverstein47 · Mar 15, 2013

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mexico-legend-hugo-sanchez-running-042600727--sow.html

AllWhitebeliever · Mar 22, 2013

msilverstein47 said: ↑

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mexico-legend-hugo-sanchez-running-042600727--sow.html
Click to expand...

There has been hundreds of applicants for the job but this is interesting. We have to remember that although that A-League is up and coming football league that has grab some attention around the world, the paycheck for the coach isn't always the largest to give compare to other football leagues.

AllWhitebeliever · May 25, 2013

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/phoenix/8694383/Phoenix-confirm-new-coach

New coach announced is the former Melbourne Victory Coach Ernie Merrick who has an outstanding track record as well as a successful easy to watch style with players and teams.

AllWhitebeliever · May 25, 2013

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-pos...71/Merricks-posting-at-Phoenix-widely-saluted

Many commentators are saying that the appointment is the right timing for both sides and that Merrick has toned down in a more relaxed mood after being two years away from the A-League and a brief stint with the Hong Kong National team. Despite being from a successful developing era of the A-League with the standard being higher than before, Ernie would be interesting to watch with closer ties with the local footballing community as part of the Wellington Phoenix cornerstone philosophy. Come on 2013-2014 season!!!

AllWhitebeliever · May 25, 2013

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/phoenix/8704057/Phoenix-A-League-draw-revealed

Easier draw for the AW players in the World Cup playoffs. Three home games are targeted to be maybe in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin?

AllWhitebeliever · May 25, 2013

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/phoenix/8708557/Phoenix-name-assistant-coach

Simple and easy, Merrick is happy to keep Chris Greenacre as his assistant coach.

AllWhitebeliever · Oct 26, 2015

Now this is sad;-( FFA can't see the big picture. Isn't Gallop is the same guy who messed up the Rugby League NRL before coming over to FFA. This probably because he couldn't get more money from SKY TV in NZ. But the NZ market is theirs already why cut it off?

https://www.change.org/p/australian...age&utm_term=mob-md-share_petition-custom_msg

AllWhitebeliever · Oct 26, 2015

This is what is happening now! Sad decision.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/footba...ington-phoenixs-future-in-doubt-after-aleague