Teen’s surprise Phoenix debut
Just moments after finishing their warmup, Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante approached Callan Elliot and told him ‘‘you’re playing’’.
The 19-year-old had travelled with the Phoenix to Gosford for Saturday’s match against Central Coast Mariners but was one of two players omitted from the match-day squad.
After the warm-up, Elliot was expecting to get changed out of his training kit and take his seat in the stands, as he has done numerous times throughout the A-League season.
However, a last-minute injury to Nathan Burns left the Phoenix short of a player on the bench, opening the door for the Tasman United product to make his professional debut in the incredible 8-2 demolition.
‘‘That was a bit of a shock but I was excited,’’ Elliot said. ‘‘I still go into the warmup trying my best and get my head into it so when ‘Dura’ said I was playing I wasn’t worried at all, I was still focussed on the game beforehand.’’
Despite his late promotion to the bench, Elliot was the first substitute introduced by coach Mark Rudan. With the Phoenix leading by a whopping six goals, the New Zealand under-20 representative was brought on to replace Louis Fenton at right wing-back as Fenton was sitting on four yellow cards and one more would have resulted in a one-game suspension.
‘‘I was still nervous but I think the scoreline did help a little bit,’’ he said.
‘‘But as soon as I got my first touch on the ball it all went out the window. He [Rudan] just wanted me to get up and down the line, defend when I needed to defend and get as high up as I can on attacks.’’
It was a wild night for Elliot to make his debut, with the Phoenix thumping the Mariners by a record scoreline. The six-goal margin did wonders for the Phoenix’s goal differential and saw them overtake Adelaide United in fourth place.
‘‘It’s almost like an extra point with that goal difference. Everyone was just buzzing in the changing rooms and everyone had a smile on their face. It was just a good night overall.’’
Although his debut came in unexpected circumstances, Elliot said it was a dream come true to follow in the footsteps of his mentor, Paul Ifill, and play for the Phoenix. He is the first player from Ifill’s academy to play for the club where he finished his career.
‘‘I was stoked. I’ve been working hard during the season and to finally get on was a special moment for me, my family and all the people that have helped me a long the way.
‘‘It’s been awesome to follow in Ifill’s footsteps and play for the Phoenix. I got a call from Ifill out of the blue one day and he said that he’s sorted out a trial for me at the Phoenix and ever since that I’ve just enjoyed every minute. You wake up and go to football and in your off time you go to the gym or do more football, it’s everything I always wanted.’’
And now that he has had a taste of A-League action, Elliot is hungry for more. He said playing as many games as possible and cracking the New Zealand squad for the Under-20 World Cup are his two main objectives for the rest of the season.
The Phoenix host Western Sydney Wanderers in Wellington on Sunday.