On the Ball: Fulsome praise for Nix teenager
Wellington Phoenix forward David Ball has praised teenager Sam Sutton’s mental toughness in the wake of the fullback’s contribution to their win over Western United.
The 19-year-old was handed his first start of the A-League season at left back on Sunday, a new position for a player who has typically been considered a midfielder, but one he has been training to play all summer.
Sutton played the full 90 minutes at WIN Stadium in Wollongong, having only appeared once, off the bench in stoppage time, in the team’s 15 previous outings, and set up fellow teen Ben Waine to score the decisive goal in the Phoenix’s 3-2 win.
Ball played in front of Sutton on the Phoenix’s left flank and said Sutton had been ‘‘mentally the toughest’’ of the team’s 22-strong squad during their sixmonth stay in New South Wales.
‘‘To be honest, he’s probably had the best attitude. Because we haven’t got a reserve team this year, he has had to just train and train and train and train and that’s tough knowing that you’ve not got a game [to look forward to] for six months.
‘‘For him to be the way he has been, waiting for his chance, then to come in and play in a position that he is not known for playing ... he’s been, I think, mentally the toughest out of everyone in the group.
‘‘There wasn’t much light at the end of the tunnel for him, but he got that opportunity, and he took it with both hands.’’
Ball said he spoke to Sutton before the game and stressed the importance of them communiating about what they were doing.
‘‘He came to me after the game and thanked me for that, and I think we both did really well on that side. I thought he did fantastic, and I was really happy for him.’’
With Tomer Hemed not involved after picking up a minor quad strain in training, Waine was handed his first start in five matches up top and responded by scoring his third goal of the season, a header in stoppage time that was initially ruled out for offside – a decision that was then overturned by the video assistant referee.
Ball said he was delighted the team’s two teenagers had combined for such an important goal – one that gave the Phoenix their first win in three matches and kept their hopes of a top-six finish alive – and highlighted the example the academy products were setting for others aspiring to make it to the A-League.
‘‘It’s great to see the quality of the Kiwi lads coming through. Those boys have worked really hard and for any of the young Kiwis that are trying to get into the Phoenix team, they should look at them too and try to follow them.’’
Before Sunday’s win over Western United, the Phoenix had given fewer minutes (472) to under-20 players (those born in 2001 or later) this season than every other A-League team bar the Central Coast Mariners.
But with Sutton and Waine both playing a full match, they have now given more minutes to that cohort (582) than Western United (560), Melbourne City (516), and Macarthur FC (482) as well.
Adelaide United lead the way, having given their under-20 players 1945 minutes – an average of 121 minutes per match – but on the evidence of Sunday’s performance, there should be more opportunities ahead for the Phoenix duo, starting this Sunday when they travel to play Perth Glory.
‘‘He’s been, I think, mentally the toughest out of everyone in the group.’’
David Ball on Sam Sutton