The most important football league from New Zealand is ready to kick-off as two matches are going to be contested this Saturday. While Canterbury United are going to face Waitakere United in the Southern Island, Team Wellington and Wellington Phoenix Reserves are ready for the first derby of the season – the WelClasico.
After finishing second in the last season, Team Wellington still have one of the most powerful teams in the country as important players like Hamish Watson, Jack-Henry Sinclair, Justin Gulley, Mario Barcia, Rory McKeown and Scott Basalaj remained in the team for this season. On the other hand, Ollie Whyte and the rising star Marko Stamenic are not with Team Wellington anymore as both players are currently playing in Europe.
It is already known that the main focus of Wellington Phoenix Reserves is to develop players for the first team that plays in the A-League. We should see a very different WeeNix this season: Callan Elliot and Ronan Wynne are currently playing in Europe while Sam Sutton joined the main team for the next A-League season. Another player who left the team is 21-year-old forward Ahmad Othman, who joined Hawke’s Bay United.
Defender Kurtis Mogg has been promoted to captain of the team while Alex Paulsen is likely to be the first-choice goalkeeper this season. Other players like Benjamin Old, Henry Hamilton, Luis Toomey and Riley Bidois are expected to become even more important players in the squad.
The WelClasico will take place at Fraser Park and it is scheduled to kick-off at 2pm (local time). This match is going to be livestreamed by Sky Sport Next and you will be able to watch this regional derby by clicking here.
Oceania Football Center 