VS

Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle Jets

Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle Jets
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Local kick off 7pm (5pm AEDT)
Westpac Stadium
Referee: Craig Zetter

Wellington Phoenix Squad: 1.Mark PASTON (gk), 2.Jeremy CHRISTIE, 3.Tony LOCHHEAD, 5.Karl DODD, 6.Tim BROWN, 7.Leo BERTOS, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Michael FERRANTE, 11.DANIEL, 12.Richard JOHNSON, 13.Troy HEARFIELD, 15.Adam KWASNIK, 18.Ben SIGMUND, 20.Glen MOSS (gk), 23.Costa BARBAROUSES, 25.Manny MUSCAT.
* one to be omitted.

In. 12.Richard JOHNSON (promoted), 18.Ben SIGMUND (return from injury), 23.Costa BARBAROUSES (promoted).
Out. 4.Jon McKAIN (suspended  1 week), 22.Andrew DURANTE (suspended  1 week).
Unavailable. 17.Vince LIA (knee  season).

Newcastle Jets Squad: 1.Ante COVIC, 2.Adam GRIFFITHS, 5.James HOLLAND, 7.Kaz PATAFTA, 8.Matt THOMPSON, 9.Joel GRIFFITHS, 10.Jin-Hyung SONG, 11.Tarek ELRICH, 12.Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 13.Adam D’APUZZO, 14.Shaun ONTONG, 16.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 17.Antun KOVACIC, 26.Mark MILLIGAN, 29.Sean ROONEY, 30.Justin PASFIELD
* One to be omitted.

In. 7.Kaz Patafta, 14.Shaun Ontong, 17.Antun Kovacic
Out. 3.Jade North, 24.Marko Jesic (knee).
Unavailable. 15.Jason Hoffman (knee  season),18.Noel Spencer (ankle  indefinite), 20.Ben Kennedy (ankle  season), 19.Jason Naidovski (knee  season).

 VS

Queensland Roar vs Wellington Phoenix

Queensland Roar vs Wellington Phoenix
Sunday, December 28
Local kick off 6pm (7pm AEDT)
Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Ben Williams

Queensland Roar Squad: 1.Liam REDDY (gk), 2.Andrew PACKER, 3.Luke DEVERE, 4.Craig MOORE (c), 5.Josh McCLOUGHAN, 6. David DODD, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Massimo MURDOCCA, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 12.Tahj MINNIECON, 13. Chris GROSSMAN, 14.Ben GRIFFIN, 15.Matthew McKAY, 17.Mitch NICHOLS, 20.Griffin McMASTER (gk), 21. Tommy OAR, 22. Robbie KRUSE, 23.Tim SMITS.
*three to be omitted

In. 6. David DODD, 13. Chris GROSSMAN (promoted), 22. Robbie KRUSE (promoted), 23.Tim SMITS.
Out. Danny TIATTO (suspended one week).
Unavailable. REINALDO (groin injury), Hyuk-Su SEO (calf injury), Isaka Cernak (knee injury), Charlie MILLER (hernia).

Wellington Phoenix Squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Jeremy CHRISTIE, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. Karl DODD, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 15. Adam KWASNIK, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 22. Andrew DURANTE (captain), 25. Manny MUSCAT.
* one to be omitted.

In. 1. Mark PASTON (gk, return from injury), 18. Ben SIGMUND (return from injury).
Out. 30. Scott HIGGINS (gk, short-term injury replacement contract completed).
Unavailable. 17. Vince LIA (knee season).

  VS

Wellington Phoenix vs Central Coast Mariners

Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners
Friday, December 19
Local kick off 7.30pm (5.30pm AEDT)
Westpac Stadium
Referee: Chris Beath

Wellington Phoenix Squad: 2. Jeremy CHRISTIE, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. Karl DODD, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Vaughan COVENY, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 12. Richard JOHNSON, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 15. Adam KWASNIK, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 22. Andrew DURANTE (captain), 25. Manny MUSCAT, 30. Scott HIGGINS (gk).
*three to be omitted.

In. 8. Vaughan COVENY (promoted), 12. Richard JOHNSON (promoted), 15. Adam KWASNIK (promoted).
Out. Nil.
Unavailable. 17. Vince LIA (knee  season).

Central Coast Mariners Squad: 2. Andre GUMPRECHT, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Bradley PORTER, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Dean HEFFERNAN, 9. Nik MRDJA, 10. Adrian CACERES, 11. Dylan MACALLISTER, 15. Andrew CLARK, 17. Matthew OSMAN, 18. Alex WILKINSON, 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 22. Sasho PETROVSKI, 23. Mile JEDINAK, 30. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk).
*one to be omitted.

In. 15. Andrew CLARK (Promoted)
Out. Nil.
Unavailable. 16. Nigel BOOGAARD (Ankle  Indefinite), 21. Ahmad ELRICH (Knee  Season).

  VS

Wellington Phoenix vs Perth Glory

Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory
Saturday, December 13
Local kick off 7pm (5pm AEDT)
Westpac Stadium
Referee: Strebre Delovski

Wellington Phoenix Squad: 2. Jeremy CHRISTIE, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. Karl DODD, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 22. Andrew DURANTE (captain), 25. Manny MUSCAT, 30. Scott HIGGINS (gk).
*one to be omitted.

In. 5. Karl DODD (promoted), 30. Scott HIGGINS (gk, short-term injury replacement).
Out. 1. Mark PASTON (ribs four weeks), 27. FRED (personal).
Unavailable. 17. Vince LIA (knee season).

Perth Glory Squad: 30.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 1.Jason PETKOVIC (gk), 2.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 3.David TARKA, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Nick RIZZO, 9.Adrian TRINIDAD, 11.Scott BULLOCH, 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 14.Eugene DADI, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.James DOWNEY, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21.Mark LEE, 22.Wayne SRHOJ, 25.Marc ANTHONY, 28.Andrija JUKIC.
* three to be omitted

In. 3.David TARKA (promoted), 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (return from injury), 21.Mark LEE (promoted), 28.Andrija JUKIC (promoted from Youth Team).
Out. 4.Jamie COYNE (calf 3 weeks).
Unavailable. Josip MAGDIC (ankle season), AMARAL (hamstring season), James ROBINSON (abdomen 3 weeks), Hayden Foxe (leg test).

Paston will be sidelined for about four weeks after badly bruising his ribs during last weekend’s A-League match against Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Higgins is no stranger to the A-League, having previously played for Queensland Roar and Adelaide United before signing with Gold Coast United, which enters the competition next season.

Wellington stopper Glen Moss will be elevated to the starting eleven during Paston’s absence.

Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said Higgins was signed for his experience.

“We actually had a number of goalkeepers who contacted us after learning about the status of Mark and his injury but we settled on Scott. He’s a proven performer, he’s played with several players already in our squad
and he was thrilled to come here.”

Pignata said a deal with former Manchester United keeper Mark Bosnich did not eventuate.

“We spoke with Mark but ultimately he felt it would be better for him to remain training in Sydney rather than coming over here and potentially not playing. We couldn’t guarantee him the starting keeper’s spot – Glen
is our number one now – and Mark would have only been here as a backup.”

Fred returned home to Brazil to be with his family and will miss Saturday night’s match at Westpac Stadium.

Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said Fred’s welfare was top priority.

“Being so far away from his family in Brazil at this difficult time is obviously very distressing for Fred and we have worked hard to get him, his wife and daughter on a plane home immediately,” said Pignata.

“The most important thing for us now is to help Fred in any way we can,

“It’s far too early to say what will happen with the remainder of Fred’s contract but needless to say we will leave that decision to him and respect his wishes if he decides to stay in Brazil to be with his family.”

Fred has three matches left to play on his guest contract including the match on Saturday night.

  VS

Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix

Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix
Friday, December 5
Local kick off 7.30pm (8pm AEDT)
Hindmarsh Stadium
Referee: Matthew Breeze

Adelaide United Squad: 20.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.ALEMAO, 4.Angelo COSTANZO, 5.Michael VALKANIS, 6.CASSIO, 8.Kristian SARKIES, 10.CRISTIANO, 13.Travis DODD (capt.), 14.Scott JAMIESON, 15.Jonas SALLEY, 16.Daniel MULLEN, 18.Fabian BARBIERO, 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 21.Jason SPAGNUOLO, 22.DIEGO, 24.Paul REID, 25.Robert YOUNIS, 30.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk).
*5 to be omitted.

In. Robert CORNTHWAITE, Michael VALKNAIS, Robert YOUNIS, CASSIO.
Out. Nil.
Unavailable. Daniel BELTRAME (knee season), Lucas Pantelis (knee Indefinite).

Wellington Phoenix Squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Jeremy CHRISTIE, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. Karl DODD, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 22. Andrew DURANTE (captain), 25. Manny MUSCAT, 27. FRED.
* one to be omitted.

In. 5. Karl DODD (return from suspension).
Out. Nil.
Unavailable. 17. Vince LIA (knee season).

 VS

Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory

Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory
Friday November 28
Local Kick off 7.30pm NZDT (5.30pm AEDT)
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Craig Zetter

Wellington Phoenix Squad: 1.Mark PASTON (gk), 2.Jeremy CHRISTIE, 3.Tony LOCHHEAD, 4.Jon McKAIN, 6.Tim BROWN, 7.Leo BERTOS, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Michael FERRANTE, 11.DANIEL, 13.Troy HEARFIELD, 18.Ben SIGMUND, 20.Glen MOSS (gk), 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 25.Manny MUSCAT, 27.FRED

In. Jeremy CHRISTIE (promoted)
Out. Karl DODD (suspended 1 week)
Unavailable. Vince LIA (knee season)

Melbourne Victory: 1.Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (c), 3.Michael THWAITE, 7.Matthew KEMP, 8.Grant BREBNER, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 11.NEY FABIANO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 14.Billy CELESKI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17.Jose LUIS LOPEZ, 20.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk), 22.Nick WARD

In. Jose Luis LOPEZ (return from international duty)
Out. Leigh BROXHAM (omitted)
Unavailable. Evan BERGER (hamstring 1 week), Nathan ELASI (groin 1 week)

It is understood he flew home to consider his options and reported at training last week.

The Wellington club has confirmed today his departure.

Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata said “As a club we did everything in our power to accommodate his needs.

“However, it got to the point where it was clear to us that we could no longer work with him and it was decided to let him go to pursue other opportunities.”

The New Zealand international, who is also an Australian citizen, will see the current season out with the Phoenix before moving to Victory on a two-year deal.

Moss has so far played 26 matches for the Phoenix, in addition to nine matches for the New Zealand Knights in the 2005/06 season, and has regularly battled with fellow goalkeeper Mark Paston for a starting spot in the Wellington lineup.

First-choice Melbourne ‘keeper Michael Theoklitos is off-contract at the end of the 2008/09 season, however Victory Football Operations Manager Gary Cole said the club is keen to retain Theoklitos as one of three goalkeepers alongside Moss and Mitchell Langerak for next season.

“We’re hoping Michael will stay,” Cole said.

“Michael’s made no secret of the fact he’s got ambitions to play in Europe and if something comes up we obviously don’t want to leave ourselves short.

“He’s requested to put off contract negotiations until the end of the season and we just think we’re in a great position right now with Michael, Mitchell and Glen.

“Our goalkeeping ranks couldn’t be better.”