Schrijvers re-signs with Team Wellington
You could be forgiven for thinking Taylor Schrijvers is a glutton for punishment.
The 20-year-old centre back has signed on for another season with Team Wellington. At first glance, that seems an appetising prospect, considering they are the defending ISPS Handa Premiership champions and made the OFC Champions League final last year.
But few other national league teams put their defence under as much pressure as Team Wellington did last season. They shipped 32 goals in their 18 regular season matches - the worst of any team in the top six.
Then their was the famous 6-6 extratime semifinal against Waitakere United to make the national league final. That was symbolic of their attacking approach to the game.
Schrijvers looked on in awe from the bench that day as his side won the penalty shootout, but started the final due to Guillermo Moretti being sent off in the semifinal.
He said it was clear where Team Wellington would need to improve.
‘‘We conceded too many goals last year. We play a very attacking way, so it’s exciting for the fans that we score goals, but a drawback is we concede a few as well.’’
They have lost influential skipper and centre back Bill Robertson to Hawke’s Bay United, but gained defender Scott Hilliar from Waitakere.
He joins new additions Angus Kilkolly (striker) and Mario Ilich (midfielder) as the new additions to the squad thus far, with more signings and re-signings expected in the coming weeks.
Schrijvers said the loss in the OFC Champions League final to Auckland City still hurt and they would be looking to go one better next season.
‘‘We just want to continue where we left off last season. Go to the final and win it again and then doing better in the O-League is really the big thing.’’
Even though there was the disappointment of the final loss to end the season, it was a personally pleasing year for Schrijvers, who came into the campaign with only a couple of substitute appearances to his name. He would end up playing in almost all of Team Wellington’s matches.