Wellington Phoenix are a different beast under Ufuk Talay, and Oliver Sail has the best seat in the house to watch his side’s progress.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper from Auckland – who signed a two-year contract extension with the Kiwi side in April – believes Talay’s Phoenix rebuild is beginning to take shape.
Sail is confident Phoenix are on the right track despite their penalty shootout defeat to Brisbane Strikers in the FFA Cup 2019 Round of 32 last month, a match that saw eight players make their club debuts.
KEY FIXTURES: The Phoenix clash that will have Westpac Stadium rocking
INS AND OUTS: Wellington Phoenix
“It’s a new system for the boys that the gaffers implementing so it’s going to take time,” Sail said. “I think from the back I can see it all unfold, and we’re progressing quite nicely.
“The intensity and what we’re trying to achieve is in terms of outcome is still the same but it’s different in the structure’s really discipline, and obviously a different shape that we’ve set up as well.
“The way we go about the game and the players we’ve got as well are really different.”
Phoenix heads to Sydney this Friday for a two-week training camp. They will play Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers in behind closed doors friendlies.
? Team #Nix training hard in #NZsCapitalofFootball ?#StandUpWithYourNix #ERereTeKeo pic.twitter.com/v5l1rS0W3H
— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) September 3, 2019
A dream come true: Toure
Three FFA Cup goals in two matches has seen teenage striker Al Hassan Toure emerge from nowhere to become the story of Adelaide United’s pre-season.
After marking his professional debut with a goal after just 12 minutes, the 19-year-old Reds striker sent Adelaide through to the Quarter Finals with a double against Olympic in the Round of 16.
He had signed a scholarship contract with Gertjan Verbeek’s side the day before.
“I’ve been working hard throughout the years to get this. It’s been my dream to play for United since I was a little kid and it’s a dream come true,” he told the club website.
INS AND OUTS: Adelaide United
INFO: Visit the match centre to see every Adelaide United fixture
Toure’s rise into first team football has even taken Reds boss Verbeek by surprise.
Verbeek’s eyebrows were raised after he watched the Guinean-Australian score a stunning goal against Campbelltown City in the NPL South Australia, and after training with the first team, the ex-Eredivisie man threw the teenager in at the deep end in the club’s Round of 32 clash against Melbourne Knights.
“It was a bit nerve wracking to be honest,” Toure said when he learned of his maiden start in professional football.
“I had a chat with my family and I told them that I would be playing and they were all excited, calling uncles and aunties from back home and speaking to the grandma – everyone was a bit excited.
“Walking on the pitch with the players that I’ve been looking up to for years and just joining them, playing the game.”
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514574001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6075108442001
The vibe’s great on the coast
He might be new to Gosford but Dylan Fox can already sense a different atmosphere at Central Coast Mariners.
Former Wellington Phoenix defender Fox enjoyed an 120-minute debut in the team’s epic penalty shoot out victory over Brisbane Roar in the FFA Cup 2019 Round of 16.
INS AND OUTS: Central Coast Mariners
Tuesday training. ✅
Full focus on @FFACup Quarter Finals! ? #CCMFC #FFACup #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/YXtbCemuiC
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) September 3, 2019
That win has only furthered the feeling of positivity among Alen Stajcic’s playing group, as the Mariners look to lift themselves out of the Hyundai A-League cellar, having finished rock-bottom for two consecutive campaigns.
“There’s a good feeling among the club. The vibe’s been really good since I’ve been here,” Fox said.
“Everyone’s fitting in perfectly – I’ve only been here two weeks, but I feel at home already, and I’m sure the other boys are feeling the same.
