Keep him quiet: Nix coach
Giancarlo Italiano wants his players to make sure Paul Izzo doesn’t produce another man-of-the-match performance.
But the Wellington Phoenix coach did respect some suspected skullduggery after the Melbourne Victory goalkeeper’s heroics meant they would be their A-League Men semifinal opponents.
The two sides will meet over two legs, with Victory playing hosts at AAMI Park on Sunday evening, before the Phoenix are at home for the second leg at Sky Stadium on Saturday May 18.
Izzo saved four penalties against Melbourne City in their elimination final derby on Sunday evening – including three in the shootout, after 90 minutes and extra-time saw the teams locked at 1-1.
Izzo also scored a penalty for the Victory in the shootout and made a string of fine saves during normal time as his side played with 10 men for 83 minutes after Moroccan midfielder Zinedine Machach was sent off for kicking out at Leo Natel as the City winger lay on the ground.
It’s understood he also had a role in ensuring opposing goalkeeper Jamie Young didn’t have his drink bottle or towel on hand for the penalty shootout; suspecting they held notes on the Victory penalty-takers.
“If it’s true that he threw Jamie Young’s penalties [notes] away, I respect that, because that shows that someone’s always thinking about the game, and you can take every advantage that you have,” Italiano said yesterday. “We need to make sure we put whatever chances we have away and not let him be the man of the match.”
Italiano wants his side – which finished second in the regular season behind defending champions Central Coast Mariners – to be brave and adventurous in the first leg.
“The dynamic without the away goals is very important,” Italiano said. “Because that’s no longer a factor, and it’s on aggregate, at some stage either team has to go for the game. And I think that means we can be a little more adventurous away from home, because a goal would be very important.
“Obviously we’ll have the advantage coming home, playing in front of the home crowd, so if we can get anything out of that game – in terms of scoring or even a result – it puts us in a really good position.
“The advantage is with the team that is more brave,” Italiano said.
The Phoenix have an awful record at the venue for the first leg – they’ve not won at AAMI Park (home ground for the two Melbourne sides) – in their last 20 visits.
“Eventually, the odds will tip in our favour, so I’m kinda hoping it’s Sunday,” Italiano said.
The Victory are set to be without Machach for both games, as he faces a likely twomatch suspension for his red-card offence.
The Phoenix will need to be well-disciplined throughout the two legs, with three players sent off in the two elimination matches.
On Saturday, Sydney FC – guided by former Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay – were hugely impressive in defeating Macarthur 4-0 to earn a two-leg semifinal against the Mariners.
“We need to make sure we put whatever chances we have away and not let him be the man of the match.”
Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano on Victory goalkeeper Paul Izzo