New boys miss Phoenix's cup clash
Niggling injuries have prevented Wellington Phoenix from naming two of their off-season signings for Wednesday's FFA Cup clash with Brisbane Strikers.
Mexican midfielder Ulises Davila and Australian forward Jaushua Sotirio have both been held back from the round of 32 fixture as a precaution.
They're fighting for their lives and everyone expects an upset on the night.
Steven Taylor
Coach Ufuk Talay has taken uncontracted youngsters Sam Sutton and Oskar van Hattum with him to Brisbane in their place.
The New Zealand side are also without Louis Fenton due to a broken foot which ended his 2018-19 season.
Wellington, who went out at the first hurdle to semi-professional side Bentleigh Greens in last year's competition, face another second-tier team this time.
The Strikers have already had to come through four qualifying rounds, starting when they beat Souths United 10-1.
Talay said he was happy enough with the depth of his squad, though he has few options for his front four against the Queensland side.
Ben Waine will partner David Ball in attack with Cameron Devlin and Callum McCowatt operating in behind the strikers in a new-look attack.
The Phoenix have won only one FFA Cup tie in the past five years, when they beat Central Coast in 2015.
New captain Steven Taylor, who made his debut in the defeat to Bentleigh Greens last year, said: "That game did hurt, for my first game as well. We probably didn't show them the respect they deserved.
"I've experienced it all my career back in England, especially at Newcastle playing against the lesser sides from the lower leagues, we always struggled because it was their FA Cup game, they're fighting for their lives and everyone expects an upset on the night. For us that's the fire in our belly, to make sure that doesn't happen."
Wellington Phoenix are 1/2 to win their next game against Brisbane Strikers, who are 15/4 with the draw 16/5.
The Phoenix are 12/1 to win 1-0.
View all Soccer betting
Niggling injuries have prevented Wellington Phoenix from naming two of their off-season signings for Wednesday's FFA Cup clash with Brisbane Strikers.
Mexican midfielder Ulises Davila and Australian forward Jaushua Sotirio have both been held back from the round of 32 fixture as a precaution.
They're fighting for their lives and everyone expects an upset on the night.
Steven Taylor
Coach Ufuk Talay has taken uncontracted youngsters Sam Sutton and Oskar van Hattum with him to Brisbane in their place.
The New Zealand side are also without Louis Fenton due to a broken foot which ended his 2018-19 season.
Wellington, who went out at the first hurdle to semi-professional side Bentleigh Greens in last year's competition, face another second-tier team this time.
The Strikers have already had to come through four qualifying rounds, starting when they beat Souths United 10-1.
Talay said he was happy enough with the depth of his squad, though he has few options for his front four against the Queensland side.
Ben Waine will partner David Ball in attack with Cameron Devlin and Callum McCowatt operating in behind the strikers in a new-look attack.
The Phoenix have won only one FFA Cup tie in the past five years, when they beat Central Coast in 2015.
New captain Steven Taylor, who made his debut in the defeat to Bentleigh Greens last year, said: "That game did hurt, for my first game as well. We probably didn't show them the respect they deserved.
"I've experienced it all my career back in England, especially at Newcastle playing against the lesser sides from the lower leagues, we always struggled because it was their FA Cup game, they're fighting for their lives and everyone expects an upset on the night. For us that's the fire in our belly, to make sure that doesn't happen."
Wellington Phoenix are 1/2 to win their next game against Brisbane Strikers, who are 15/4 with the draw 16/5.
The Phoenix are 12/1 to win 1-0.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com
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