In-form Wellington defender Ben Sigmund believes there are no excuses for his side not to score a win over the Newcastle Jets in the Hyundai A-League clash at Ausgrid Stadium on Friday night.
In-form Wellington defender Ben Sigmund believes there are no excuses for his side not to score a win over the Newcastle Jets in the Hyundai A-League clash at Ausgrid Stadium on Friday night.
The Phoenix go into the match with a fully fit squad, a confidence boosting away win over the Gold Coast last week and having spent a week ‘in camp- in Australia.
“The new owners we have got have been really fantastic in letting us stay for a week here,” Sigmund said.
“You don’t realise what the heat and the travel takes it out of you. But they (the owners) have taken those excuses away for us.
“There is no excuses, we have to come out and match what Newcastle throw at us and more.
“It will be like the Gold Coast, it wasn’t pretty but when you are away from home you will do anything to get those three points. And we will be doing the same on Friday night.”
Sigmund said the late away win over the Gold Coast has given his side a boost in confidence and shows that they have matured on the road this season.
“It is got we obviously had a good win against the Gold Coast and when you win away the boys are bit more upbeat and can enjoy it,” he said.
“We are looking forward to Friday night and it is another big test for us. Everyone has come through this week really well and everyone is fit and ready to go.”
The 29-year-old centre back has happy memories at Ausgrid Stadium having scored his debut goal for the Phoenix there in 2009, albeit in a 3-2 loss.
“We lost 3-2 and I scored one of the goals in that. It was my first goal in the A-League so that was a bit of a milestone for me,” he said.
“I have managed to get on the scoresheet a couple of times this year and am always looking to do so off corners or set plays so if the time is right and someone provides a good ball I am sure I will be there to put it in.”
The Kiwi international has been in sparkling form this season for Wellington.
He has started in all 16 games and is key to coach Ricky Herbert’s defensive set-up. Sigmund equates his good form to his relaxed mental state.
“I guess I am getting a bit older now and there might only be two or three years left for me,” he said.
“But all the goals I have wanted to achieve in football I have done so with the World Cup and playing pro for a few years now and that is when all the pressure comes off and you can sit back and started to enjoy it.”
“I just love the club and I am really enjoying playing football and it shows in my game.”
