Bozinovski recovered from Covid, thirsting for action
Matthew Bozinovski’s extended family had made the trip from Melbourne to Sydney to celebrate his 21st birthday, but the guest of honour was at risk of being absent.
The Wellington Phoenix defender tested positive for Covid19 in the final week of 2021, shortly after his housemate, Reno Piscopo, with the virus running rampant in New South Wales where they are based.
His family and girlfriend had already made plans to travel interstate from Victoria to celebrate the milestone with him, so they pushed ahead, not knowing if he would be able to join them for dinner on the day itself, last Wednesday, January 5.
Fortune was on Bozinovski’s side, however, as that was the same day he was cleared to leave isolation, following a negative test and a check-up from the team doctor, which brought an end to a period that started with him full of symptoms and feeling ‘‘really sick’’.
He went straight to training, as he and Piscopo had to start getting their fitness back after a week in isolation together, while the bulk of the Phoenix squad were in Melbourne, getting ready to play – and beat – Melbourne City in the FFA Cup that night. Then it was off to Cyren, a seafood restaurant in Sydney’s Darling Harbour, for dinner with those closest to him, with the cup clash, which went to penalties, on his phone the whole time. Piscopo was largely symptomfree during his time in isolation, but Bozinovski fell ill even before he’d had a positive test. Bozinovski has made a pair of appearances for the Phoenix since joining them on loan from Melbourne Victory last year, coming off the bench in A-League Men in their win over Central Coast Mariners at the end of November.
The shootout win over City was a moment of catharsis for a Phoenix side that has now won three cup matches, while losing four straight in A-League Men to slump towards the bottom of the table.
But they haven’t played since, as the club’s Covid-19 outbreak didn’t stop at Bozinovski and Piscopo.
Eight more positive tests were announced last Friday, prompting the postponement of A-League matches this weekend and last, as well as their FFA Cup semifinal against Melbourne Victory.
It is understood there have been more positive tests since then, though the club has declined to provide a running tally, leaving the Phoenix with only a handful of players who haven’t had the virus, and bare numbers at training this week – including Bozinovski and Piscopo, who have fully recovered.
They are hoping to be joined over the weekend by those who first tested positive last week, which would allow the team to return to action on the weekend of January 22 against Western United in Melbourne, in a fixture that is yet to be given a date or a kickoff time.