Coach backs Ball after spot-kick failures
Coach Ufuk Talay gave new striker David Ball credit for his display in the FFA Cup defeat to part-timers Brisbane Strikers, despite him missing two penalties.
The former Rotherham United forward saw a spot-kick saved in extra-time, and fired wide with a second penalty in the shootout, which the Wellington Phoenix lost 4-2.
It was hardly a debut the Englishman, who was recruited on a two-year deal during the off-season, will treasure but Talay wasn't critical of him.
Ball, who netted 41 goals in 179 games for Fleetwood Town before going to Rotherham, will be given the chance to take penalties in the future according to the coach.
"I have a lot of belief in my players and at the end of the day everybody makes mistakes, we are all human," said Talay.
"But for me Bally will step up again and if he's confident he will take it again, I will have no issue with that whatsoever."
Ball came away with an assist, setting up the Phoenix's first goal by heading Alex Rufer's deep free-kick into the path of Cameron Devlin, who struck from close-range for his first goal for the club.
"I think David was quite good; to be honest we weren't expecting him to play 120 minutes but he got through the extra-time," said Talay of the Manchester-born striker.
Only Liberato Cacace and Alex Rufer were able to net from the spot during the shootout, after the game finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.
Callum McCowatt, whose goal 16 minutes from the end of normal time got Wellington level, had his penalty saved by Strikers keeper Bon Scott.
The Phoenix were not helped by the late withdrawal of captain Steven Taylor, who was ruled out with a muscle strain, and for the second year in a row they were bundled out of the cup by a semi-professional side.
Meanwhile, Wellington have announced the signing of young German midfielder Matti Steinmann.
The Hamburger SV player, who represented Germany at international age-group level up until the U-20s, has signed a one-year deal.
Wellington Phoenix are 25/1 to win the Grand Final. Adelaide United are 12/1, while Perth Glory trade at 4/1.
View all Soccer betting
Coach Ufuk Talay gave new striker David Ball credit for his display in the FFA Cup defeat to part-timers Brisbane Strikers, despite him missing two penalties.
The former Rotherham United forward saw a spot-kick saved in extra-time, and fired wide with a second penalty in the shootout, which the Wellington Phoenix lost 4-2.
It was hardly a debut the Englishman, who was recruited on a two-year deal during the off-season, will treasure but Talay wasn't critical of him.
Ball, who netted 41 goals in 179 games for Fleetwood Town before going to Rotherham, will be given the chance to take penalties in the future according to the coach.
"I have a lot of belief in my players and at the end of the day everybody makes mistakes, we are all human," said Talay.
"But for me Bally will step up again and if he's confident he will take it again, I will have no issue with that whatsoever."
Ball came away with an assist, setting up the Phoenix's first goal by heading Alex Rufer's deep free-kick into the path of Cameron Devlin, who struck from close-range for his first goal for the club.
"I think David was quite good; to be honest we weren't expecting him to play 120 minutes but he got through the extra-time," said Talay of the Manchester-born striker.
Only Liberato Cacace and Alex Rufer were able to net from the spot during the shootout, after the game finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.
Callum McCowatt, whose goal 16 minutes from the end of normal time got Wellington level, had his penalty saved by Strikers keeper Bon Scott.
The Phoenix were not helped by the late withdrawal of captain Steven Taylor, who was ruled out with a muscle strain, and for the second year in a row they were bundled out of the cup by a semi-professional side.
Meanwhile, Wellington have announced the signing of young German midfielder Matti Steinmann.
The Hamburger SV player, who represented Germany at international age-group level up until the U-20s, has signed a one-year deal.
Wellington Phoenix are 25/1 to win the Grand Final. Adelaide United are 12/1, while Perth Glory trade at 4/1.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com
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