Phoenix coach wants NZ players held back
He was delighted to see him score on his international debut, but Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay wants young star Callum McCowatt held back from New Zealand’s next match against Lithuania.
The 20-year-old forward hit the ground running in his first appearance for the All Whites, scoring the team’s only goal in a 3-1 loss to Ireland in Dublin yesterday. He was one of three Phoenix players named in the starting 11, with Liberato Cacace lining up at left-back and Stefan Marinovic playing in goal.
‘‘I’m very delighted for him to get a goal at international level. Also for Stefan, I thought Stefan had a great game as well. I’m very pleased with their performance,’’ Talay said.
‘‘That’s why we brought him in, he’s done that previously at Eastern Suburbs so hopefully he can continue that with us.
‘‘People need to understand he’s only played five games in the A-League at professional level but he’s got the talent to be successful.’’
The All Whites play Lithuania in Vilnius on Monday, six days before winless Wellington’s next match against Brisbane Roar. The five Phoenix players involved are not due back in New Zealand until Wednesday.
All Whites coach Danny Hay has already indicated he will select an entirely different lineup meaning yesterday’s starters McCowatt, Cacace and Marinovic may not feature at all. But both Tim Payne and Alex Rufer are expected to start.
Due to the short turnaround, lengthy travel schedule and the fact the Lithuania game will be played on artificial turf, Talay said it would be in his club’s best interests for the Phoenix players to be kept on ice ahead of a crucial A-League game.
‘‘We’ve got a great open relationship with Danny and we’ve had that since day one, since I’ve been at Wellington Phoenix,’’ Talay said.
‘‘As much as I want him to be successful he wants the same for me on this side of things so there’s things we can weigh up and talk about.’’
But the scenario could be much worse for the Phoenix given eight of the 11 A-League clubs are playing through the international window. The only reason they don’t have a game this weekend is because they requested the first of their three byes to coincide with the two All Whites fixtures.
‘‘I think everywhere else in the world they do [recognise the international window], so why don’t we? Considering we’re the only professional team in New Zealand and most of our players are Kiwis, a lot of players are going to be away with the All Whites at times so we need to have a bye.
‘‘You can’t have six or seven players away at a time and expect to perform on the weekend.’’
With no A-League match this weekend, Talay said he planned to drop seven players down to play for the reserve team in their national league match against Team Wellington.
Injured pair Gary Hooper and Louis Fenton were given modified training programmes as they continue to work their way back to full fitness.