Keeper’s challenging year
Oli Sail had high hopes for this season.
Following Glen Moss’ departure to the Newcastle Jets, the 22-yearold goalkeeper was expecting to provide the back-up for Lewis Italiano at the Wellington Phoenix. He was even hoping to make his A-League debut.
However, Sail quickly found himself relegated to third-choice shotstopper when former coach Darije Kalezic surprisingly elevated teenager Keegan Smith to the front of the queue in pre-season.
Smith started the first six games before Italiano was reinstated for the next 13. Sail, meanwhile, made just one appearance on the bench during that 20-game span.
‘‘Obviously it was disappointing for me. I thought I was going to have a chance if Lewis wasn’t starting. But credit to Keegan, he took his chance,’’ Sail said.
Despite being contracted for next season, Sail slipped even further down the pecking order when A-League veteran Tando Velaphi arrived in January.
Velaphi has started the past four games, with Italiano dropping to the bench. That left Sail and Smith to slug it out for a starting role in the reserves team.
‘‘It has been challenging, mentally more than anything,’’ Sail revealed.
‘‘I’ve been lucky the staff in the reserves team, Greenie [Chris Greenace] and Temps [Paul Temple], were really good to me. A lot of the time I did extra sessions with the reserves team just to top up and just knowing I was getting the training, knowing I was going to get the game on the weekend.’’
Sail started the final two games of the ISPS Handa Premiership season and was happy with his efforts for the reserves.
‘‘It was really enjoyable to get back out there. It has been a while. I do enjoy getting amongst playing with those younger boys. I often get a bit of a workout, which is especially the case when you play top of the league Auckland City. But I had fun and I thought I played really well.’’
A possible injury saw Velaphi skip training on Tuesday, opening the door for Sail to get back into the match-day squad. Although it would be a surprise to see him start, he sure isn’t giving up hope of making his Phoenix debut before the season ends.
‘‘Every week I try and put my hand up for selection regardless of what people tell me and whether they say it’s realistic or not. I still want to play games for this football club and I know I’m ready to play in the A-League so it’s a matter of showing other people I’m ready.’’