Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix
Date: Saturday August 2
Kick-off (local time): 7.00pm (local)
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Head-to-head
Three A-league meetings: Wellington - 1 win, Sydney 1 win, 1 draw
One Pre-Season Cup meeting: Wellington - 1 win
Previous meeting
Wellington Phoenix 0, Sydney FC 2, Round 19, January 2008
Pre-Season Cup Results
Sydney
Round 1: Sydney FC 2, Queensland Roar 1, Campbelltown Stadium, Saturday July 19
Round 2: Central Coast Mariners 3, Sydney FC 0, Central Coast, Saturday July 26
Wellington:
Round 1: Wellington Phoenix 1, Central Coast Mariners 0, Westpac Stadium, Sunday July 20
Round 2: Queensland Roar 1, Wellington Phoenix 1, Sunshine Coast, Saturday July 26
Previous Pre-Season Cup Results
Sydney:
2007: Seventh (Defeated Melbourne 1-0 in seventh-place playoff)
2006: Third (Defeated Newcastle 2-0 in third-place playoff)
2005: Semi-final (Lost to Perth 1-0 in semi-final)
Wellington:
2007: Sixth (Lost to Newcastle 4-2 on penalties in fifth-place playoff)
Analysis
Both these sides will be keen to get their Pre-Season Cups back on track after slips ups last weekend. Both teams had strong wins in their first matches, but failed to back that up, with the Phoenix held by Queensland, and Sydney well beaten by a Mark Bosnich-inspired Central Coast.
The Phoenix still lead the group, and a win here will guarantee them a spot in the Grand Final on Wednesday. They could still get through with a draw or loss, but Ricki Herbert will want to make sure of it with a victory.
Adam Kwasnik has wasted no time making an impression at his new club, scoring the equaliser last week and could be set for a start. He could prove an excellent foil for Shane Smeltz and Daniel this season. Tony Lochhead is off to England to trial for Middlesbrough with all the best wishes of the club.
Also missing are Jon McKain, who has a thigh injury and Karl Dodd, who has two yellow cards. In come Leilei Gao, Manny Muscat and Jeremy Christie.
Sydney will be without Simon Colosimo, who is suspended while impressive youngster Chris Payne returns to the state league. John Aloisi, Brendan Santalab and Mike Enfield remain sidelined by injuries, while Stuart Musialik and Mark Bridge are both on Olyroos duty. Tony Popovic and Ryan Walsh come into the side.
Sydney FC Squad: 1 Clint Bolton (gk), 2 Iain Fyfe, 3 Nick Tsattalios, 5 Mitchell Prentice, 6 Tony Popovic (c), 7 Robbie Middleby, 10 Steve Corica, 14 Alex Brosque, 15 Terry McFlynn, 17 Jacob Timpano, 18 Adam Casey, 20 Ivan Necevski (gk), 21 Adam Biddle, 24 Ryan Walsh, 26 Dez Giraldi
In: 6 Tony Popovic (c), 24 Ryan Walsh
Out: Simon Colosimo (suspended), Chris Payne
Unavailable: Stuart Musialik (Olyroo duty), Mark Bridge (Olyroo duty), John Aloisi (injured), Brendon Santalab (injured) and Mike Enfield (injured)
Wellington Phoenix Squad: 1 Mark Paston (gk), 2 Jeremy Christie, 7 Leo Bertos, 8 Vaughan Coveny, 9 Shane Smeltz, 10 Michael Ferrante, 11 Daniel, 12. Richard Johnson, 13 Troy Hearfield, 18 Ben Sigmund, 20 Glen Moss (gk), 21 Leilei Gao, 24 Andrew Durante (captain), 26 Manny Muscat, 27 Adam Kwasnik
In: 21 Leilei Gao (promoted), 26 Manny Muscat (trialist), 2. Jeremy Christie (promoted)
Out: 4 Jon McKain (thigh – 1 week), 5 Karl Dodd (suspended – 1 week), 3 Tony Lochhead (overseas trial – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: 6 Tim Brown (groin – 1 week), 4 Jon McKain (thigh – 1 week), 5 Karl Dodd (suspended – 1 week), 3 Tony Lochhead (overseas trial – 2 weeks), 17 Vince Lia knee – season)