All Whites striker Ben Waine is in line to start at the top of the Wellington Phoenix forward line beside Oskar Zawada for Sunday’s A-League match against the Central Coast Mariners.
Waine scored off the bench in last weekend’s opener against Adelaide United but the suspension of Yan Sasse may see him start up front, with Kosta Barbarouses dropping into one of two number 10 roles in the Phoenix system next to Bozhidar Kraev.
Main photo: Ben Waine … in line for a starting role. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Fixture
Game to be played on Sunday October 14, 2022
Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners
Sky Stadium, Wellington, 3pm
Squad updates
Wellington Phoenix
3. Finn SURMAN, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Steven UGARKOVIC, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Ben OLD, 9. Oskar ZAWADA, 11. Bozhidar KRAEV, 12. Lucas MAURAGIS, 13. Nicholas PENNINGTON, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 18. Ben WAINE, 19. Sam SUTTON, 20. Oli SAIL (gk), 21. Joshua LAWS, 23. Clayton LEWIS, 24. Oskar VAN HATTUM, 40. Alex PAULSEN (gk)
Out: 31. Yan SASSE (suspended)
Unavailable: 10. David BALL (injured), 14. Alex RUFER (injured), 31. Yan SASSE (suspended)
Central Coast
2. Thomas AQUILINA, 3. Brian KALTAK, 4. Joshua NISBET, 6. Maximilien BALARD, 7. Samuel SILVERA, 9. Jason CUMMINGS, 11. Beni NKOLOLO, 13. Harrison STEELE, 15. Storm ROUX, 17. KELECHI, 18. Jacob FARRELL, 20. Daniel VUKOVIC (c), (gk), 21. Michael RUHS, 22. Cameron WINDUST (c), 24. Yaren SOZER (gk), 27. Sasha KUZEVSKI, 28. James BAYLISS, 29. Dor JOK, 90. Paul AYONGO, 98. MARCO TULIO
Ins: 27. Sasha KUZEVSKI (promoted), James BAYLISS (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 10. Matheus MORESCHE (injured), 14. Garang KUOL (international duty), 23. Daniel HALL (suspended), 25. Nectarios TRIANTIS (international duty), 26. Bradley TAPP (injured)
Squad analysis: Central Coast head coach Nick Montgomery was frustrated by Garang Kuol and Nectarios Triantis’ inclusion in the 23-player Young Socceroos squad headed to Kuwait City for U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers this weekend, ruling both young players out of action for Round 2.
The Mariners had a false start in Round 1 with the F3 Derby rained out. Socceroos striker Jason Cummings was named on the bench to take on the Jets, but with another week of training under his belt will gun for a starting spot to take on Wellington.