Photo: Mark Evans / Getty Images
Mexican import Gael Sandoval, seen to be scoring a goal against Brisbane Roar, was able to play his first New Zealand game for Wellington Phoenix after restrictions from the crowd were lifted.
Wellington Phoenix are “excited” about the government’s restrictions on the public and hope to confirm two A-League Men’s home games in New Zealand after a season-long exile in Australia.
Phoenix general manager David Dome said on Wednesday that Phoenix plans to host matches in Wellington and Auckland in April.
He expects details to be confirmed “later this week” when the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) finalize the draw for the rest of the A-League season.
Dome said the government’s decision to lift people’s restrictions on this week’s sporting events was “the best news possible because one of the main obstacles to bringing the team home has been removed”.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX
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Phoenix’s Jaushua Sotirio is tackled by Jordan Elsey of the Newcastle Jets.
“We had always hoped to play matches in New Zealand this season and now we can work with the APL to confirm places, dates and start times.”
“As was the case last year, it’s very important that our first match is in Wellington, but it’s also important to us that we play in front of our fans and partners in New Zealand’s biggest city.”
Phoenix have not played in New Zealand since May 30 last year, when more than 22,000 watched a 2-2 draw with Perth Glory at Auckland’s Eden Park.
It came a week after the team’s home game against Western United at the Sky Stadium, where 24,105 fans lined up for a 3-0 victory.
Dome said living room the way was now clear for Phoenix to play “two games at home after mid-April”.
Photo: Mark Evans / Getty Images
Brisbane Roar’s Henry Hore joins Sam Sutton from Wellington Phoenix.
He said the club has always thought that any return to “open stadiums will be at the end of the season”.
Phoenix have four more “home” games – including one this Saturday against Perth Glory in Sydney. They also have to play against Melbourne City before April 13 due to City Asian Champions (ACL) League commitments.
That leaves two home games that could potentially be played in New Zealand, against the Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers, originally scheduled for April 17 and 24, respectively.
The drawing revision process was more complex than just arranging home games for Phoenix, Dome said, with ACL schedule also having to be considered.
Dome said Phoenix would definitely look to return to its home base at Wellington’s Sky Stadium “previously elsewhere”.
“We are delighted to be able to bring players back to New Zealand with this announcement and repay the faith shown by our fans who stood by us and continue to buy season tickets despite being in Australia for almost a full season. . ”
The Phoenix men’s team has been based in Australia since last November.
A Sky Stadium game gives Phoenix’s Yellow Fever fans their first chance to see star Mexican signing Gael Sandoval.
Masanori Udagawa / Getty Biller
Reno Piscopo celebrates a goal in Wellington Phoenix’s last performance in Wellington in May 2021.
Home players in Wellington have been on a premium since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
There was a difference of 433 days – 14 months – between their March 2020 game in Wellington and their return in May 2021 for a clash with Western United.
Dome has always insisted that the Phoenix wanted to lift the restrictions before bringing the players back to New Zealand this season, even though the A-League Men’s team will enter the country on April 12th.
He said last week that it would not be viable to host players unless they could have a meaningful audience at the game.
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