Distance derby might be Hooper debut for Phoenix

The distance derby is always an important part of Wellington Phoenix – specially when their opponents are the current premiers of A-League. Perth Glory made a superb season in 2018/19, topping the A-League regular season and playing a very attractive football. Andy Keogh, Chris Ikonomidis and Diego Castro made fantastic combinations all over the season – unfortunately for Glory the Scottish Keogh departed to play in Saudi Arabia, but we can really say they could find a suitable substitute: former Melbourne City striker Bruno Fornaroli.

The Uruguyan has a proven goalscoring record at A-League and surely can harm Wellington Phoenix if they do not take care of him. Not only Fornaroli can be threat: the Soceroos member Chris Ikonomidis made a very good season for the premiers and already scored this season in the past two games of Glory – both ending in a 1-1 draw. Ikonomidis also adds experience of playing European football in Italy.

The Westpac Stadium will probrably see the debut of their new marquee striker, the English Gary Hooper. The former Norwich City player turned into the biggest hope of goals for this season after the announcement of ther signing. After Roy Krishna, David Williams and Sarpreet Singh departures, the Wellington-based club was desperate to find a proven goalscorer and their bet is going for a highly experienced one in the best football leagues of the European continent.

The distance derby has its name due the high distances both teams have to play each other – the biggest in the league. From Perth to Wellington we have the huge distance of 5.255 km and this is the road Glory will make to face the Nix this Sunday at Westpac Stadium.

Both Glory and Wellington are seeking for their first win in the season – Phoenix lost their first two matches to Western United and Sydney FC while Perth Glory draw both their matches. Despite of playing a very interesting football against Sydney last Sunday, the unlucky Phoenix could not prevail and stop the current champions to defeat them by a 2-1 margin. Ulisses Davila turned himself in the first Mexican to ever score in A-League and added the first of what the Phoenix fans hope to many to their goal account in the 2019/20 season.

After a reckless challenge, the young full back Liberato Cacace will be missing this match and the next one of the Phoenix. The 19-year old New Zealand international stepped on the leg of Sydney FC Anthony Caceres and was sent off with the help of VAR. A-League referee comission added one more week ban to the All Whites member and created a new problem for the head coach Ufuk Talay to resolve.

Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory will play at 6pm NZT and all movements of the match will be telecasted by SkySport and streamed at MyFootball YouTube channel.