https://wellingtonphoenix.com/news/academy-takes-centre-stage-as-nix-stun-wrexham/
The Wellington Phoenix academy turned heads on the world stage on Saturday night.
The Wellington Phoenix academy turned heads on the world stage on Saturday night.
A remarkable 21 past or present Phoenix academy players helped Wellington stun global football sensations Wrexham AFC 1-0 in front of 25,399 fans at Sky Stadium, with current reserve team striker Luke Flowerdew scoring the match-winner early in the second half.
Seven academy graduates (Fin Roa Conchie, Isaac Hughes, Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Xuan Loke, Matt Sheridan and Jayden Smith) started the match, before another grad (Luke Supyk) and nine current reserve team players (Ryan Lee, Ryan Watson, Dylan Gardiner, Anaru Cassidy, Fergus Gillion, Lewis Partridge, Lachlan Candy, Flowerdew and Mac Munro) started the second half. A further four (Eamonn McCarron, Nick Murphy, Luke Mitchell and Dan Makowem) came on as second half substitutes and helped secure the momentous result.
Seven academy graduates (Fin Roa Conchie, Isaac Hughes, Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Xuan Loke, Matt Sheridan and Jayden Smith) started the match, before another grad (Luke Supyk) and nine current reserve team players (Ryan Lee, Ryan Watson, Dylan Gardiner, Anaru Cassidy, Fergus Gillion, Lewis Partridge, Lachlan Candy, Flowerdew and Mac Munro) started the second half. A further four (Eamonn McCarron, Nick Murphy, Luke Mitchell and Dan Makowem) came on as second half substitutes and helped secure the momentous result.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was quick to give credit to the Phoenix, especially the reserve squad members that featured in the second half.
https://youtu.be/3b0I4dEob2I
“I just felt the youngsters…had so much enthusiasm and energy about them and you could see what a big night it was for them playing in front of 25 thousand people,” Parkinson told media post-match.
“To be fair to them the manager will be very pleased with how they’ve stood up to that challenge.
“They defended for their lives at times, always looked a threat on the counter [and] got good energy in the team. As we know they’re all fit, athletic lads.”
https://youtu.be/3b0I4dEob2I
“I just felt the youngsters…had so much enthusiasm and energy about them and you could see what a big night it was for them playing in front of 25 thousand people,” Parkinson told media post-match.
“To be fair to them the manager will be very pleased with how they’ve stood up to that challenge.
“They defended for their lives at times, always looked a threat on the counter [and] got good energy in the team. As we know they’re all fit, athletic lads.”
Fitter, faster, stronger is the academy’s mantra and the players’ athleticism is what stood out for Parkinson from the team’s three-match tour against A-League opposition.
“The key is…running power. I spoke to the sport scientist here before the game and I was asking him about their physical data, and it was high, very high.
“That’s great for us coming up against that.
“Sometimes young players may lack the strength and physicality at this moment to play in Europe but their ability to cover the ground quickly was there for all to see.
“It looks like the A-League is producing some young talent which is fantastic for the sport over here.”
“The key is…running power. I spoke to the sport scientist here before the game and I was asking him about their physical data, and it was high, very high.
“That’s great for us coming up against that.
“Sometimes young players may lack the strength and physicality at this moment to play in Europe but their ability to cover the ground quickly was there for all to see.
“It looks like the A-League is producing some young talent which is fantastic for the sport over here.”