Phoenix star rises again after injury-hit season
Four weeks ago, Wellington Phoenix were playing Brisbane Roar at Sky Stadium.
Injured striker Oskar Zawada was watching the game from the balcony of the chairman’s lounge when he was spotted by a member of the Yellow Fever.
Within seconds, the entire active supporters’ group had burst into a song. They were chanting his name over and over. “Oh Oskar Zawada …”
The Polish striker was a revelation for the Phoenix last season. He scored a teamhigh 15 goals. It was easily the most prolific spell of Zawada’s career and his most enjoyable too.
Zawada was expected to play a big part for the Phoenix this season after they fended off interest from elsewhere to retain him. He showed what he was capable of when he netted a hat-trick in a 5-2 demolition of Brisbane Roar in round three.
But those chants of “Oh Oskar Zawada” have not been heard at Sky Stadium much this season.
Even though the Phoenix have enjoyed their best season, their best player has hardly played – an easily forgotten fact during their remarkable rise to the top of the table.
After making only 10 appearances, the off-contract Zawada was not expected to be seen in a Phoenix shirt again when he suffered a devastating injury setback.
Zawada sustained a thigh contusion when he was kicked in the leg during a 3-0 defeat to Newcastle Jets in round seven.
He made an instant impact on his return, helping the Phoenix get revenge over the Jets by scoring a late winner in a 2-1 win in round 14.
But something still was not right with his thigh and Zawada was sent for further scans, which showed a growth had developed in response to the injury.
“It looked dangerous because on the kick I got on my quad there was like another bone growing,” Zawada said.
“You don’t have much space in your quad and that was causing me pain. It was very weird and not a usual injury that I had, so that was unlucky.”
Zawada sought medical advice from doctors in New Zealand and Europe and was told the injury could take up to six months to heal.
With his contract up and the Phoenix unlikely to be in a position where they could afford to keep him, it was feared Zawada had already played his final game for the club.
Zawada never gave up hope, however, and now that he has made it back in the nick of time, he is determined to help the Phoenix win the Premiers Plate – and to hear his name sung by the fans again.
“I was worried because I have a special feeling towards the club and the Yellow Fever and I knew it would be amazing these games, special games for the fans and me.
“I didn’t know what was going to happen because the time frame [for my recovery] was very big.
“I spoke with many doctors in Europe and here and they were telling me the time frame could be anywhere from one to six months, it depends on your body.
“But my body is good and strong. I did everything that was possible to be back and hopefully my health is going to remain how it is now.”
After getting through six minutes plus stoppage time during last Friday’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Newcastle, Zawada should be ready to take on a bigger role when the Phoenix host Macarthur FC in the final round of the regular season.
The plan is to build him up so he’s ready to start come semifinals time, but Zawada is determined to contribute now, placing greater importance on finishing top of the table than winning a final.
“I’m from Europe so I consider the league even more important than the playoffs. If you win the league it means you are the best team,” Zawada said.
The equation is simple for the Phoenix tomorrow. If they beat Macarthur and Central Coast Mariners lose to Newcastle Jets, the Premiers Plate will be theirs.