Wellington Phoenix recruit Carlo Armiento believes a change of both club and position has him primed and ready for a successful season with his new side.
The 26-year-old opened his account for the season on Saturday night at HBF Park as the Phoenix came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Perth Glory in Round 1, with Armiento bagging the equaliser in the 69th minute.
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Formerly of Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory, Armiento left the Isuzu UTE A-League ahead of the 2024-25 campaign to join Italian Serie C side SS Turris Calcio.
However, a pre-season phone call from Phoenix boss Giancarlo Italiano persuaded the 26-year-old to swap Italy for New Zealand and, crucially, swap position as well, with Armiento now being deployed in a left wing-back role.
“Yeah, I think when Chief (Italiano) gave me the call to come along this year, he explained the role,” said the 26-year-old when speaking to local journalists.
“At the start, I was a bit hesitant, because I’ve never really played it before, but now I’m loving it.
“I said to a couple people, maybe it’s a blessing, because maybe I wish I had gone there a couple years ago, because I’m really having fun, and I think we’re playing on the front foot, and it’s allowed me to get in goal-scoring opportunities.
“I think it’s brought a lot more to my game and I wish I went there a couple of years ago.”
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The move to switch Armiento to his new wing-back role clearly paid dividends for Italiano and his football department, although the South Australian attacker credits his coaches for the work they’ve put into him in the off-season.
“It’s pretty straightforward for me, because I’m a winger, but defensively, the coaching staff have put a lot of work into me with video hours when we’ve been away on trips, body shape etc.
“So yeah, credit to them. They’ve put a lot of work (in), and now I’m just listening to them each day. I’m learning and yeah, like I said, I’m loving it.
“I think in this position, like, all the pre-season games we’ve played, I’ve had opportunities, so I think now it’s just taking opportunities.
“I think before I scored, I could have scored one early in the first half as well. So I think the way we play, it’s so enjoyable to play.
“I’m looking forward to the game on Sunday.”
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Phoenix host a Brisbane Roar side on Sunday at Sky Stadium who will no doubt be buoyed by their opening round 1-0 win over Macarthur Bulls at Suncorp Stadium.
Crucially for Italiano’s side though, they haven’t lost a home clash against Brisbane Roar since 2017, although it has been sometime since the Nix faithful saw their side win on home soil in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Wellington’s last home win at Sky Stadium came in a 2-1 victory against Newcastle Jets on December 28, 2024.
