The Wellington Phoenixs A-League season is shaping as a defining period for both the club and the Illawarra. Off the field, the Phoenixs stint in Wollongong could have long-lasting and wide-ranging ramifications.
Since the demise of the National Soccer League and the Wolves decision not to enter the A-League in 2005, the region has been starved of top-flight football. That all changes on Saturday, Wellington to play their first game at WIN Stadium after they were forced out of New Zealand due to COVID-related border closures. While the Phoenix plan on returning home as quickly as the situation allows, their time in the region is being viewed as an opportunity. The next few months are a chance for the Illawarras football fans to turn out and show their support. This is their chance to get behind a club and prove Wollongong can sustain an A-League side. Wellington have kept a fairly low profile since arriving in the region, recent efforts to engage with the community hampered by the Northern Beaches outbreak. The Phoenix, however, recognise how important this season is for the Illawarra. I believe Wollongong is a footballing town, Wellington coach Ufuk Talay said this week. Im hoping that people do come out and support us while were based in Wollongong. Hopefully we can turn them (local Sydney FC supporters) around and they dont have to travel all the way to Sydney to watch games, they can support us. Its never easy in the A-League, as you can see with the results from the last few days. Hopefully we can get those guys that love football in Wollongong coming in and supporting us. Questions loom over the commercial viability of an Illawarra team, a region that has struggled to sustain NRL and NBL clubs. Those leading the charge for a Wollongong A-League franchise are confident this is not a concern. After years of struggles, the Wolves have found solid ground on the field under Luke Wilkshire and off the field courtesy of chairman Tory Lavalle. One of the cruel ironies of the present situation is the Illawarra could eventually end up with Wellingtons licence, some powerbrokers eager for the competition to be entirely Australian. With A-League independence officially arriving and a shift to the winter months imminent, the football community is brimming with excitement about the future. Wollongong can be part of that future. The Wolves are working hard to make it happen. Now its up to the fans to vote with their feet and make a statement throughout this season. Make it clear to those in charge that Wollongong must be part of that future.
Match 1 vs Sydney | Sat 2nd Jan | 7.05pm | SS7
Here we go lads match day! COYN!
fudge i'm stoked, fire up!
Dont like the way that article ends RR Hope the Phoenix management has invested in some stab vests to avoid those knives in the back
Phoenix to start fast and with a win start as we mean to go on.
Fire Up!
Seeing the starting eleven, they trash us! Shark!
Mirza gets the start, really excited to see what he and Lewis can do
Would love to see Lewis score on debut.
Can't say that Lewis excites me, but hope he goes alright.
Not the most inspiring starting line up on paper for the Nix. But last time this line up started weren't they like 3-0 up at half time against The Jets.
Then we bring on Hemed and Davila at half time. Strong looking bench.
COME ON PHOENIX! COME ON PHOENIX!
Really poor that Sky still aren't putting on the pre-game coverage.
Farken fire up!
COYN!
(Someone fix the 'this' button too btw)
Would love to see Lewis score on debut.
is a link up on MyFootball already? Can't seem to find one
is a link up on MyFootball already? Can't seem to find one
Yea it's there now. Scheduled to start at 7.05
is a link up on MyFootball already? Can't seem to find one
Sorty misses a school boy chance. thats our season right there.
Great ball by Rufer though.
Great to have the team back - lets go boys
Any Admin here today - I am unable to reset my password. Im currently logged in on this computer (google Chrome), however unable to log in at work through Edge - it wont accept the password.
Admin please reach out so I can possibly get this sorted out - much appreciated.
Pathetic! SFC toying with us and DeVere always losing the ball.
Good header - just wide
DeVere is woeful! get him off
Pathetic! SFC toying with us and DeVere always losing the ball.
FFS mods can't you stop this negative shark
Sotirio is one of the most frustrating players I've ever watched.
Over the years we have had so many debutants score against us
Wow, this boy is a bit of a sensation.
was some ping for their goal. Funny game, we should have been leading prior imo. A out and out striker and one of those goes in
Was a great strike for the goal, but maybe we could not give him 15m of slave next time?
If Sotirio had half the football ability that he had pace he would be a hell of a player
even before the goal can tell that kid is quality.
@ Colvinator
To be fair though, his work rate is very high. He's fast, getting us to where we need to be quickly- in front of goal.
Hasn't got the greatest touch but good to have a player like him on the team.
Did anyone else not get to see the goal? My feed turned into a radio station for a bit there.
wow worst timing for the picture to go
perfect timing to lose the picture. haha. man.
Yeah missed it too. TV coverage awful from the start. Bad camera angles, sound issues, then miss the goal completely...
just our luck to miss the equaliser due to FOX sports crappy setup.