Phoenix ‘ready’ for busy schedule

Six A-League games in 24 days is a ‘‘tough ask’’ for the Wellington Phoenix, but general manager David Dome says the players are ‘‘up for the challenge’’.

The Wellington Phoenix will play their six remaining games in the space of 24 days when the A-League restarts later this month.

Details of their first match back, against table-topping Sydney on July 17, have been public knowledge since early June, but the rest of the draw was officially announced yesterday.

After taking on Sydney, the former club of coach Ufuk Talay and midfielder Cam Devlin, who will miss the match through suspension, the third-placed

Phoenix are set to face Perth on July 23.

They then have their shortest turnaround before facing Adelaide United on July 26, with Western Sydney Wanderers to follow on July 31,

Brisbane Roar on August 5, and the Newcastle Jets on August 9.

All of the Phoenix’s matches will take place in New South Wales, where the bulk of the squad is nearing the end of a 14-day quarantine period after flying in on June 20.

There will be 32 matches played in 38 days, with the finals series starting on August 15 and the grand final scheduled for August 23.

Dome said while the schedule presents the Phoenix with a few challenges, he’s confident the club and players will rise to the challenge.

‘‘As one of the few teams with six matches remaining – and to be asked to play six games in 24 days – it’s a tough ask for our players. In saying that, the players are up for the challenge.’’