Nix postponed after players test positive
Wellington Phoenix men’s coach Ufuk Talay is hopeful the club has reached the end of the road when it comes to Covid-19 cases but admits there is only so much that can be done in terms of precautions.
The Phoenix yesterday confirmed eight players had returned positive tests and were in isolation, with another two quarantined as close contacts.
That group doesn’t include Reno Piscopo and Matt Bozinovski, who were the first Covid cases last week but have since recovered.
The loss of 10 squad members means the Phoenix’s next two scheduled A-League matches — against Newcastle tonight and Perth next weekend — have been postponed.
The club is in dialogue with Football Federation Australia to also move next Wednesday’s FFA Cup semifinal with Melbourne Victory.
“It is a disruption but it’s something that was bound to happen at some stage,” said Talay. “You know, having two players earlier, and obviously the travel we do interstate in between. The boys will be isolating and hopefully they get through this quick and we’re back on our feet, up and running. I take it day by day. We’re in a situation where we need to be adaptable and the players need to be adaptable as well.”
Until yesterday, the Phoenix had been one of the least-affected A-League teams in terms of infected individuals, with the trip to Melbourne for their FFA Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday a possible catalyst for the latest cases.
“We went there, we prepared well for it and these things happen,” said Talay. “Currently the situation in Australia is it’s pretty rampant at the moment. We can protect ourselves as best we can. But we still have to go to the airport, and you’re catching a flight with other people.”
The club was being proactive with precautions but there was a limit to the steps that could be taken.
“The only thing we can do is lock the boys up after training and that’s pretty difficult to do,” joked Talay. “The boys still need to live their lives as normally as possible; they still need to go to the supermarket.
“They’ve just got to be smart in the decisions they make. I can’t control everything else they do, outside of training, but the main thing is that they use common sense.”
None of the current cases appear serious.
“A bit of a dry throat, or a headache but nothing really where they are bedridden, which is a positive for us.”
Hopefully they get through this quick and we’re back on our feet, up and running. Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay
According to New South Wales health guidelines, the infected individuals can leave isolation after seven days, provided they have a negative test on day six, although Talay said any return to group activities was dependant on symptoms.
Only 11 players (those with negative Covid status) trained yesterday, while the entire group will be given the weekend off. The timing isn’t ideal for the Phoenix off the back of Wednesday’s dramatic FFA Cup win on penalties over Melbourne City.
“The boys would have got a lot of confidence from that game. That’s something we needed, and a win always changes a lot of things within the group, so it’s disappointing we can’t play.”
The enforced break at least gives the Phoenix a chance to reset and also means new signing Gael Sandoval will be available as soon as the team returns to action.