Huawei Wellington United Phoenix Academy Football School of Excellence - WeeNix

Bloody good day out, quality ground and everyone was really friendly even with me in a Team Welly kit. Heck of a match, I can't begrudge HBU for the draw. 

anyone going tonight?

http://www.asbpremiership.co.nz/index.php?id=1337

DUNEDIN - A rare midweek game for Otago United against the Wellington Phoenix A should attract a broad base of supporters to Tahuna on Wednesday at 6.30 pm.

The ASB Challenge series against all ASB Premiership sides, involves the Phoenix squad and reserve coach Jonathan Gould in matches that benefit both sides.

Since there is a $2000 prize for the winner, Otago�s penurious state will clearly require attendance by the full United management Board.

Also great interest will be shown by Wynton Rufer, the Oceania Player of the Century, just back from the FIFA awards evening that saw Lionel Messi collect his second Global Player of the Year.

Rufer has been running coaching courses for aspiring players at the Grants Braes club, and since his son Caleb is likely to play against Otago, yet another proud father swells the match attendance.

Caleb Rufer has played professionally in Germany for the Wehen Wiesbaden club, and is one of several promising Kiwis likely to play for Phoenix tonight.

The match will also be a vehicle for some of Otago�s emerging young talent such as Joel Stephens, who leaves next week for a stint at Everton�s coaching academy. Other youngsters include the highly rated Jack Kirkwood, Sam Mepham and Curtis Day.

But coach Malcolm Fleming is aware that since the Phoenix senior side has missed its most recent Hyundai A-League match, possibly some senior players could get a run against Otago.

Fleming said, "First and foremost this is a serious competitive match and we will start with our strongest selection, although no Christchurch based players will be involved."

"However it is also a great opportunity to see how our emerging youngsters can lift their game against top opposition. The possible mix from professional players to our youngsters should provide a rare spectacle for Otago fans � and as usual, we will need their noisy support."

Wellington Phoenix A (from): Reece Crowther, Ashton Pett, Tony Lochhead, Nick Ward, Alec Solomons, James Musa, Zane Sole, Diego Walsh, Caleb Rufer, Oscar Cornejo, Mirjan Pavlovic, Danyon Drake, Sean Lovemore, Hamish Watson, Tom Biss, Nick Branch, Justin Gulley, Matt Gould.

Lockie and Ward playing??   keeping up their fitness??

that looks almost the exact same as last squad right?

give daniel and greenacre a run I reckon. Greeny could do with some confidence


Havnt heard bout this game till today

That is the squad from the Otago Daily Times today, so it is doubtful if Greenie or Daniel have travelled there, ie no game time

yeah got that, but think they should make the squad next week? if there is a game?

Line-Up has changed:

1. Jonathan Gould (GK)
2. Stephein Gaig
3. Liam Higgins
4. Zane Sole
5. Alec Solomons
6. James Musa (C)
7. Tom Biss
8. Justin Gulley
9. Caleb Rufer
10. Toto
11. Mirjan Pavlovic

Substitutes
17. Matt Gould (R.GK)
12. Sam Pikering
13. Ashton Pett
14. Hamish Watson
15. Nick Branch

Gouldy senior keeping amuses me.

At a guess.

-------------------Gouldy
Gaig(?) - Solomons - Musa - Higgins
--------------------Sole
--------------Biss - Gulley - Toto
----------------Rufer - Pav

why wouldnt gould jr start as as the keeper???

Because he's 12.

wouldnt crowther prefer the gametime then?

surely the risk isnt that great

Alright, not 12.  He is young though and not very experienced.  He played the last 20 in Friday's intra-squad gamewill probably do the same tonight.

Not sure what is going on with Crowther.  He played Friday and he does normally keep for the ressies. 

maybe vukovic has a bit of a risk?

or Crowther has a minor bork not worth risking.  Anyone's guess.

is diego injured?

or will he be playing against brisbane?

He didn't take a full part in training on Friday.  Assume injured.

Down 1-0.  Commentary suggest GOuldy over-committed.  Apparently conditions are bloody awful,

Goal to Ant Hancock.

3 Nix players in that squad lol

Would there not have been a younger keeper to use, either from Otago or Wellington, to play in goal?

Psycho (Pav) scores just before the half.  Intercepts a wayward back pass by the look of it.

C'mon bloody Otago !

I think the young Otago keepers are already playing for the opposition, and maybe Reece was a late withdrawal.

Currently 3-3. Sole and Toto have scored for Nix A.

aparantly 3 all..

the online report is getting patchy 2nd half

4-3 Otago leading

4-4 all even... watson levels scoring off corner

FT 4-4

Otago must suck. if Toto got a goal :/

are you suggesting that "we were sold a pup"??

awful conditions- cold, windy and sporadic icy rain, but an entertaining game- even if at times the skill level not the greatest. Otago played some good passing football at times, in very trying conditions. Phoenix really struggled defensively facing into the strong wind (but di only conced 1 in the first half when playing into the wind.) Toto scored a cracker from about 30 yards; Pav played pretty well I thought, and finished off nicely rounding the keeper. Final goal was a free kick with the wind, and can't quite remember the other- pretty scrappy goalmouth scramble after the Otago keeper made a good snap save. Otago goals pretty good- 2 goal mouth scrambles after corners, another beautifully curled in after beating defenders, and the other I think a deflection from a good shot after some nice build up.

Good to see in the stand Wynton Rufer and Terry Phelan- a Cup Winners Cup winner, and an FA cup winner- both in a crowd of 300 at windswept Tahuna Showgrounds. Fantastic- gotta love the world game.

Sorry my updates stopped had to go and play Futsal against a couple of over-aggressive f**ksticks.

Sounds like a typical Otago game to me.

He was pretty good last Friday for the 'A' side against the firsts.

i can see him getting a bit of game time against brisbane... and maybe a daniel start

Match report:

Legend

I was trying to work out who was missing from the A game, Diego was an obvious omission. Not sure if there are any more considering the two games over the next week and North being away.