Davila ready to start as Phoenix get first look at newcomers
Wellington Phoenix captain Ulises Davila says he is ready to start when they face A-League newcomers Macarthur FC at Campbelltown Stadium tonight.
But he will respect whatever decisions coach Ufuk Talay makes about his playing time as he continues to get up to speed after spending a fortnight in hotel quarantine upon arriving in Australia.
Davila’s 32 minutes of action in the Phoenix’s season-opening loss to Sydney FC last Saturday were his first since the end of the last A-League season in August, but he was his usual busy self, taking more shots than any of his team-mates.
As he prepares for his first look at the Bulls today, he feels he is ready for more.
‘‘When you play it’s different, maybe your legs start to get heavy, but I’ve worked hard the last four weeks, since I started to train, and I will be ready to play as many minutes I can.’’
Looking back on his cameo in the Phoenix’s 2-1 loss to the defending champions at their temporary home of WIN Stadium in Wollongong, Davila said he was perhaps ‘‘a little bit too excited’’.
‘‘I missed some passes I normally wouldn’t, but it’s part of the game, I like to come in and make an impact quickly and try to change the situation, but I’ll have to be more clever in the next game.
‘‘If they decide to give me more time tomorrow [Saturday], I will be happy, but I always say it’s Uffie’s decision, and he will do what he thinks is best for the team.’’
Davila has been joined in Australia by his wife and son, who did not initially travel with him in November, and he said he was buoyed by their presence.
‘‘It’s an amazing feeling to be back with my wife and my kid. I’m so happy to bring them here to Australia – even though there are some Covid cases, it’s still a safe place in this situation.
‘‘The most important thing is family and to be together, everything is perfect now.
‘‘With my family here I can just focus on my football and try to enjoy what is coming.’’
The first thing that is coming is today’s clash with Macarthur, who were impressive in starting the
season with a 1-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, but were quickly given a reality check when they were beaten 2-0 by the Central Coast Mariners last Sunday.
Talay lamented the fact that the Phoenix were undone by ‘‘two really good goals’’ in their season-opener, but they were impressive enough against the A-League’s benchmark team, and surged home as Sydney looked to sit on their one-goal lead late in the piece, but were unable to find an equaliser.
Davila isn’t the only player fans will be hoping to see in the Phoenix’s starting lineup for the clash at Campbelltown – a venue they called home themselves on one occasion in the 2018-19 season.
Israeli striker Tomer Hemed also featured for only half an hour against Sydney, but he has been out of quarantine for less time than Davila and might have to wait until the Phoenix host the Newcastle Jets on January 24 to make his starting debut.
Midfielder Reno Piscopo remains sidelined with a calf injury, but should be fit in time for the Jets match.