The Wellington Phoenix face their first journey throughout the ditch beneath head coach Chris Greenacre this Friday night time.
A high-flying Adelaide United workforce await at Coopers Stadium, although the Nix will take coronary heart from a win and a draw of their two earlier conferences this season.
Greenacre is embracing the problem of a recreation at one of many loudest stadiums within the A-League.
“I’d probably rephrase it, it’s a place you want to go on a Friday night,” he advised media pre-match. “I’m a giant fan of Friday night time soccer.
“Coopers Stadium generally has an important environment, it’s usually bouncing. We’re actually excited by the problem.
“You stress to the younger gamers, these are the video games you wish to play in, the place the group are near the pitch, the environment is electrical, these are the environments you wish to play in.
“They’re a good side, especially at home, but it’s our job to go and try and turn that crowd. It’s up to us to put in a solid performance and try and change that mentality.”
Last week’s 1-0 loss to Sydney was irritating for the brand new head coach, however there have been loads of positives to take out of the efficiency within the quick week earlier than going through Adelaide.
“Obviously issues don’t change in a single day. We reviewed the Sydney recreation, there have been elements of the sport I used to be actually happy with, there have been different elements I do know we have to enhance in.
“In such a small timeframe, it’s vital to indicate the gamers the stuff you have been actually happy with, and in a easy time period, you recognise the second.
“They can see that if we do get it proper, now we have the chance to create possibilities. It’s simply giving them confidence to do this and execute that.
“We’ve checked out our gameplan to try to do the identical towards Adelaide.
“It’s been a quick turnaround so we haven’t had a lot of time, but that’s the cards that we’re dealt.”
There is combined information on the supply entrance, with captain Alex Rufer suspended after selecting up his fifth yellow card of the season towards Sydney.
“Obviously he’s our captain, our chief, and what he brings to a dressing room and the sector, his high quality as a footballer, he brings that consistency and endurance.
“That might be a miss for us, nevertheless it implies that the opposite gamers have to boost their recreation in order that doesn’t grow to be a problem.
“It’s a great opportunity for everyone grinding in together and making sure we have a positive impact.”
However, Friday will hopefully see the return of each Tim Payne from a hamstring harm and high scorer Ifeanyi Eze from suspension.
“Tim Payne has travelled, and he’ll play an element. We’re ready on a few bits with him.
“[Eze’s] proven a distinct type of prospect to what folks have seen earlier than.
“His workrate for the workforce is completely phenomenal, he’s acquired tempo to burn, the unpredictability about him makes him a tough prospect to deal with at time.
“He’s scored some terrific goals this year.”
The spherical 20 Isuzu UTE A-League match between Adelaide United and the Wellington Phoenix is scheduled to kick off at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide at 9.35pm Friday, and might be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 4 in New Zealand, and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most latest assembly: 11 January 2026 – Wellington Phoenix 2 Adelaide United 2
All-time A-League head-to-head: Phoenix 13W, Adelaide 24W & 16D.
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Manjrekar JAMES, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Ifeanyi EZE, 8. Paulo RETRE, 10. Nikola MILEUSNIC, 11. Carlo ARMIENTO, 12. Dan EDWARDS, 15. Isaac HUGHES, 16. Sander KARTUM, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 20. Ramy NAJJARINE, 23. Luke SUPYK, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 28. Bill TUILOMA, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 37. Anaru CASSIDY.
Unavailable: 9. Sarpreet SINGH (injured), 14. Alex RUFER (suspended) 19. Nathan WALKER (injured).
Adelaide United squad: TBC
Cover picture: WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – MARCH 01: Phoenix gamers kind a huddle throughout the spherical 19 A-League Men match between Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC at Hnry Stadium, on March 01, 2026, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
