Devlin wants a shot at Sydney
Cameron Devlin is itching for a shot at his former club Sydney FC after delivering a man of the match performance in his first start for Wellington Phoenix.
A knee injury to Alex Rufer opened the door for Devlin to start in Saturday’s scoreless draw with 10-man Melbourne Victory, and he repaid the faith shown by coach Ufuk Talay with a busy performance in central midfield.
Named in the A-League Team of the Week after making a gamehigh 125 touches on the ball, Devlin said he was delighted with his individual showing and hoped he had to done enough to retain his spot, especially with table-topping Sydney up next.
‘‘I went into the game with full confidence knowing that when I did get my chance I would do quite well, and I think I did. I just tried to do my best for the team and work as hard as I could in defence and on the ball keep it simple but move it as quick as I could,’’ the 21-year-old Australian said.
‘‘My family flew up to the game which was awesome and obviously my family and friends watched the game and said ‘you did quite well’. That was really good to get some recognition and they got to see me play.
‘‘Hopefully, I get the nod [for Saturday] but it’ll be something that I can’t control, I’ve just got to train as hard as I can and if I get it I’ll be ready because I’m itching to play. I can’t wait.’’
Although the draw extended the Phoenix’s unbeaten streak to five matches, there was a sense of disappointment in the fact they had to settle for a draw, particularly after Victory had a player sent off with 30 minutes left.
Victory midfielder Kristijan Dobras was shown a direct card for serious foul play after clipping the side of Devlin’s head with a high boot.
‘‘I’ve been copping it a bit but he did get me. My ear is still killing me. It hurt but I’m fine.’’
Devlin spent the 2018-19 season with Sydney but saw limited opportunities during their championship-winning run, making just seven appearances, all from the bench. His one start came in an Asian Champions League dead rubber.
Lured to Wellington by Talay, who was an assistant at Sydney last season, Devlin said his decision to sign a two-year contract with the Phoenix came down to a desire to play more regularly, especially as he looks to break into the Olyroos squad for next year’s Asian Under-23 Championship.
‘‘. . . coming to the Phoenix was a good fresh start and I’ve learned lots of new things I maybe wouldn’t have learned at Sydney, which is outstanding and being under Uffie I feel like he’s helping me take my game to another level in both positions; in attacking and defensive midfield.’’
And although he has had to bide his time, kept on the bench for the first four games, including their 2-1 defeat to Sydney in round two, he is now putting real pressure on incumbents Rufer and Matti Steinmann.