2020–21 Wellington Phoenix FC season

The 2020–21 season was the Wellington Phoenix's 14th season since its establishment in 2007. The club participated in the A-League for the 14th time.

Wellington Phoenix
2020–21 season
ChairmanRob Morrison
ManagerUfuk Talay
StadiumWIN Stadium
(Due to Coronavirus travel restrictions)
A-League7th
Top goalscorerLeague: Tomer Hemed (11)
All: Tomer Hemed (11)
Highest home attendance24,105 (22 May 2021 vs. Western United
Lowest home attendance1,184 (24 March 2021 vs. Melbourne Victory
Average home league attendance5,329

Pre-season

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On 27 August 2020, it was announced that Liberato Cacace had signed with Belgian club Sint-Truidense after they had paid a transfer fee of $2,100,000.[1] On 6 September, the Phoenix announced that Callum McCowatt signed with Danish club Helsingør following the conclusion of his contract.[2] On 12 September, it was announced that Gary Hooper had departed the club following the conclusion of his contract.[3][4] On 14 September, the Phoenix announced the shock departure of captain Steven Taylor after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract.[5] Both players joined the Indian Super League, signing with Kerala Blasters[6] and Odisha,[7] respectively. On 24 September, Phoenix youngster Callan Elliot signed a deal with Xanthi.[8] On 18 October, it was reported that Matti Steinmann had signed with Indian club East Bengal despite no announcement from the Phoenix.[9] On 19 October, it was announced that Brandon Wilson would be parting ways with the Phoenix.[10] A week later, it was confirmed that Walter Scott would not extend his contract with the club, after he played as a trialist for Macarthur FC in a pre-season match.[11]

On 15 October, it was announced that the 2020–21 A-League season would commence on 27 December. On 27 October, the Phoenix confirmed that their squad will move to Australia for the start of the new campaign.[12][13] On 28 October 2020, the Phoenix announced the dual signings of All Whites Clayton Lewis and James McGarry on one-year deals. [14][15] On 30 October, it was announced Joshua Laws had signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix. [16] On 6 November, it was announced that Matthew Ridenton had returned to the Phoenix on a one-year deal. [17] On 10 November, the Phoenix announced the signing of Mirza Muratovic on a one-year deal. [18] On 30 November, the Phoenix announced the signing of Israeli International Tomer Hemed, as its marquee player on a one-year contract. [19]

Players

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   NZL Stefan Marinovic
2 DF   AUS Liam McGing
3 DF   AUS Luke DeVere
4 DF   NZL Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi
5 MF   NZL James McGarry
6 MF   NZL Tim Payne
7 FW   AUS Reno Piscopo
8 MF   AUS Cameron Devlin
9 FW   ENG David Ball
10 MF   MEX Ulises Dávila (captain)
11 MF   AUS Jaushua Sotirio
12 MF   NZL Matthew Ridenton
No. Pos. Nation Player
13 FW   AUS Charles Lokolingoy
14 MF   NZL Alex Rufer (vice-captain)
15 MF   AUS Mirza Muratovic
16 DF   NZL Louis Fenton
17 FW   ISR Tomer Hemed
18 FW   NZL Ben Waine
19 MF   NZL Sam Sutton
20 GK   NZL Oliver Sail
21 MF   AUS Joshua Laws
23 MF   NZL Clayton Lewis
27 DF   ENG Steven Taylor

Transfers

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From youth squad

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N
Pos.
Nat.
Name
Age
Notes
19 MF   Sam Sutton 18 3-year senior contract[20]

Transfers in

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No. Position Player Transferred from Type/fee Contract length Date Ref
23 MF Clayton Lewis Auckland City Free transfer 1 year 28 October 2020 [21]
5 DF James McGarry Unattached Free transfer 1 year 28 October 2020 [22]
21 MF   Joshua Laws Unattached Free transfer 1 year 30 October 2020 [23]
12 MF Matthew Ridenton Unattached Free transfer 1 year 6 November 2020 [24]
15 FW   Mirza Muratovic Unattached Free transfer 1 year 10 November 2020 [25]
17 FW   Tomer Hemed Unattached Free transfer 1 year 30 November 2020 [26]
13 FW   Charles Lokolingoy Unattached Free transfer 4 months 17 February 2021 [27]
27 DF   Steven Taylor   Odisha Free transfer 3 months 5 March 2021 [28]

Transfers out

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No. Position Player Transferred to Type/fee Date Ref
13 DF Liberato Cacace   Sint-Truidense $2,100,000[1] 27 August 2020 [29]
21 FW Callum McCowatt   Helsingør End of contract 6 September 2020 [2]
88 FW   Gary Hooper   Kerala Blasters End of contract 12 September 2020 [3][4]
27 DF   Steven Taylor   Odisha Mutual contract termination 14 September 2020 [5][7]
17 DF Callan Elliot   Xanthi End of contract 24 September 2020 [8]
5 MF   Matti Steinmann   East Bengal End of contract 18 October 2020 [9]
12 MF   Brandon Wilson Perth Glory Mutual contract termination 19 October 2020 [10]
23 DF   Walter Scott Unattached End of contract 25 October 2020 [11]

Contract extensions

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No. Name Position Duration Date Notes
9   David Ball Striker 2 years 27 October 2020 [30]
4 Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi Defender 2 years 29 October 2020 [31]
2   Liam McGing Centre-back 1 year 2 November 2020 [32]
3   Luke DeVere Centre-back 1 year 6 November 2020 [33]
23 Clayton Lewis Attacking midfielder 2 years 18 May 2021 [34]
20 Oliver Sail Goalkeeper 2 years 19 May 2021 [35]
18 Ben Waine Forward 3 years 20 May 2021 [36]
27   Steven Taylor Defender 1 year 4 June 2021 [37]
16 Louis Fenton Full-back 1 year 10 June 2021 [38]

Technical staff

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Position Name
Head coach   Ufuk Talay
Assistant coach   Chris Greenacre
Assistant coach/Head analyst   Giancarlo Italiano
Goalkeeping coach   Paul Gothard
Head physiotherapist   Ben Venn
Strength & conditioning coach   Aidan Wivell

Squad statistics

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Appearances and goals

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As of 25 April 2021
No. Pos. Player A-League Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK   Stefan Marinovic 6 0 6 0
2 DF   Liam McGing 6(1) 0 7 0
3 DF   Luke DeVere 6 0 6 0
4 DF   Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi 0(4) 0 4 0
5 DF   James McGarry 15(3) 0 18 0
6 DF   Tim Payne 19 0 19 0
7 FW   Reno Piscopo 8(1) 1 9 1
8 MF   Cameron Devlin 11(6) 1 17 1
9 FW   David Ball 17 4 17 4
10 MF   Ulises Dávila 18(1) 7 19 7
11 FW   Jaushua Sotirio 6(7) 3 13 3
12 MF   Matthew Ridenton 2(6) 0 8 0
13 FW   Charles Lokolingoy 0(7) 0 7 0
14 MF   Alex Rufer 15(1) 0 16 0
15 MF   Mirza Muratovic 3(5) 2 8 2
16 DF   Louis Fenton 12(5) 2 17 2
17 FW   Tomer Hemed 9(5) 5 14 5
18 FW   Ben Waine 9(6) 6 15 5
19 MF   Sam Sutton 3(2) 0 5 0
20 GK   Oliver Sail 13 0 13 0
21 DF   Joshua Laws 10(2) 0 12 0
23 MF   Clayton Lewis 17(2) 1 19 1
27 DF   Steven Taylor 3(2) 0 5 0

Friendlies

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20 November 2020 Blacktown Spartans   1–8   Wellington Phoenix Sydney, Australia
21:00 NZST
  • ?   ?'
Report
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
25 November 2020 APIA Leichhardt   1–5   Wellington Phoenix Sydney, Australia
  • ?   ?'
Report
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
2 December 2020 Macarthur FC   1–0   Wellington Phoenix Sydney, Australia
13:00 NZDT
Report Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
6 December 2020 Central Coast Mariners   0–2   Wellington Phoenix Sydney, Australia
Report
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
12 December 2020 Western Sydney Wanderers   1–3   Wellington Phoenix Sydney, Australia
Report
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
19 December 2020 Newcastle Jets   3–4   Wellington Phoenix Newcastle, Australia
Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
17 January 2021 Wollongong Wolves   4–0   Wellington Phoenix Wollongong, Australia
Report Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)

Competitions

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  Win   Draw   Loss

Overall

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Competition Started round Final
position / round
First match Last match
A-League 7th 29 December 2020 4 June 2021
A-League Finals DNQ DNQ

Overview

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Competition Record
P W D L GF GA GD Win %
A-League 26 10 8 8 44 34 +10 038.46
Total 26 10 8 8 44 34 +10 038.46

Updated to match played future (December 2020)
Source: Competitions

A-League

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League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
5 Adelaide United 26 11 6 9 39 41 −2 39 Qualification for finals series[a]
6 Macarthur FC 26 11 6 9 33 36 −3 39
7 Wellington Phoenix[b] 26 10 8 8 44 34 +10 38
8 Western Sydney Wanderers 26 9 8 9 45 43 +2 35
9 Perth Glory 26 9 7 10 44 44 0 34 Qualification for 2021 FFA Cup play-offs[c]
Source: A-Leagues
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Least red cards; 5) Least yellow cards; 6) Toss of a coin in an event of a tie of two clubs.
Notes:
  1. ^ The top two teams entered the finals series at the semi-finals, while the teams ranked third to sixth entered the finals series at the elimination-finals.
  2. ^ Wellington Phoenix cannot qualify for Asian Football Confederation competitions as they are based in New Zealand, which is under the Oceania Football Confederation.
  3. ^ The top 8 teams qualified for the round of 32, while the bottom four teams participated in a playoff round.[39]

Results summary

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Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
26 10 8 8 44 34  +10 38 5 3 5 24 19  +5 5 5 3 20 15  +5

Matches

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  Win   Draw   Loss

2 January 2021 2 Wellington Phoenix 1–2 Sydney FC Wollongong
17:00 AEDT
Report
Stadium: WIN Stadium
Attendance: 3,637
Referee: Alex King
9 January 2021 3 Macarthur FC 1–1 Wellington Phoenix Sydney
17:00 AEDT
Report
Stadium: Campbelltown Stadium
Attendance: 2,609
Referee: Stephen Lucas
24 January 2021 5 Wellington Phoenix 1–2 Newcastle Jets Wollongong
19:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: WIN Stadium
Attendance: 1,742
Referee: Alex King
31 January 2021 6 Central Coast Mariners 1–2 Wellington Phoenix Gosford
16:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: Central Coast Stadium
Attendance: 4,748
Referee: Daniel Elder
8 February 2021 7 Sydney FC 2–1 Wellington Phoenix Sydney
19:10 AEST
Report
Stadium: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Attendance: 5,220
Referee: Chris Beath
14 February 2021 8 Wellington Phoenix 0–2 Central Coast Mariners Wollongong
16:05 AEST Report
Stadium: WIN Stadium
Attendance: 2,248
Referee: Daniel Elder
21 February 2021 9 Wellington Phoenix 2–2 Western Sydney Wanderers Wollongong
18:10 AEST
Report
Stadium: WIN Stadium
Attendance: 3,383
Referee: Alireza Faghani
24 February 2021 9 Melbourne Victory 2–0 Wellington Phoenix Melbourne
19:05 AEST
Report Stadium: AAMI Park
Attendance: 3,424
Referee: Shaun Evans
28 February 2021 10 Newcastle Jets 0–2 Wellington Phoenix Newcastle
18:10 AEST Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Attendance: 4,576
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
7 March 2021 11 Wellington Phoenix 3–0 Perth Glory Wollongong
16:00 AEST
Report Stadium: WIN Stadium
Attendance: 2,331
Referee: Adam Kersey
15 March 2021 12 Western Sydney Wanderers 4–3 Wellington Phoenix Sydney
19:05 AEST
Report
Stadium: Bankwest Stadium
Attendance: 5,477
Referee: Shaun Evans
21 March 2021 13 Wellington Phoenix 1–1 Brisbane Roar Newcastle
16:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Attendance: 1,432
Referee: Stephen Lucas
24 March 2021 13 Wellington Phoenix 4–1 Melbourne Victory Wollongong
19:05 AEST
Report
Stadium: WIN Stadium
Attendance: 1,184
Referee: Shaun Evans
28 March 2021 14 Wellington Phoenix 0–1 Macarthur FC Wollongong
16:00 AEST Report
Stadium: WIN Stadium
Attendance: 2,516
Referee: Adam Fielding
5 April 2021 15 Wellington Phoenix 2–3 Melbourne City Wollongong
19:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: WIN Stadium
Attendance: 1,343
Referee: Alireza Faghani
11 April 2021 16 Wellington Phoenix 3–2 Western United Wollongong
19:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: WIN Stadium
Attendance: 1,226
Referee: Chris Beath
18 April 2021 17 Perth Glory 1–3 Wellington Phoenix Perth
18:15 AWST
Report
Stadium: HBF Park
Attendance: 9,229
Referee: Daniel Elder
22 April 2021 17 Western United 1–1 Wellington Phoenix Tasmania
19:00 AEDT
Report
Stadium: UTAS Stadium
Attendance: 2,528
Referee: Alex King
25 April 2021 18 Wellington Phoenix 2–1 Adelaide United Wollongong
16:10 AEST
Report
Stadium: WIN Stadium
Attendance: 1,903
Referee: Adam Kersey
1 May 2021 19 Brisbane Roar 0–0 Wellington Phoenix Brisbane
17:05 AEDT Report Stadium: Dolphin Oval
Attendance: 5,897
Referee: Tim Danaskos
7 May 2021 20 Adelaide United 0–0 Wellington Phoenix Adelaide
19:35 ACDT Report Stadium: Coopers Stadium
Attendance: 7,172
Referee: Alireza Faghani
16 May 2021 21 Melbourne City 2–2 Wellington Phoenix Melbourne
16:05 AEST
Report
Stadium: AAMI Park
Attendance: 4,586
Referee: Alireza Faghani
22 May 2021 22 Wellington Phoenix 3–0 Western United Wellington
14:05 NZDT
Report Stadium: Sky Stadium
Attendance: 24,105
Referee: Daniel Elder
26 May 2021 22 Western Sydney Wanderers 1–2 Wellington Phoenix Sydney
19:05 AEST
Report
Stadium: Bankwest Stadium
Attendance: 5,068
Referee: Kurt Ams
30 May 2021 23 Wellington Phoenix 2–2 Perth Glory Auckland
13:35 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Eden Park
Attendance: 22,233
Referee: Alex King
4 June 2021 24 Macarthur FC 0–3 Wellington Phoenix Campbelltown
19:05 AEST Report
Stadium: Campbelltown Stadium
Attendance: 5,126
Referee: Daniel Elder

References

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  1. ^ a b "Football: Wellington Phoenix star Liberato Cacace officially signs with Belgian Pro League club Sint-Truiden". The New Zealand Herald. 29 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b Rollo, Phillip (6 September 2020). "All Whites forward Callum McCowatt departs Wellington Phoenix for Europe". Stuff.co.nz.
  3. ^ a b Radbourne, Lucas (12 September 2020). "More departures show A-League can no longer compete financially with India". FTBL.
  4. ^ a b "Striker Gary Hooper departs Wellington Phoenix amid Indian Super League interest". Stuff.co.nz. 13 September 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Captain Steven Taylor leaves Wellington Phoenix by mutual consent". Stuff.co.nz. 14 September 2020.
  6. ^ George, Arun (5 October 2020). "ISL: Kerala Blasters replace Bart Ogbeche with Gary Hooper". The Times of India.
  7. ^ a b Krishna, Ajay (14 September 2020). "Odisha FC Sign 34 Year Old English Defender Steven Taylor". IFTWC.
  8. ^ a b Rollo, Phillip (24 September 2020). "Wellington Phoenix rising star Callan Elliot to join Greek club Xanthi FC". Stuff.co.nz.
  9. ^ a b "Official: German A-League midfielder the latest Indian exit". FTBL. 19 October 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Brandon Wilson Parts Ways With Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 19 October 2020.
  11. ^ a b Rugari, Vince (25 October 2020). "Ring the bells: Macarthur FC take first step towards A-League debut". The Sydney Morning Herald. Milicic handed starts to [...] ex-Wellington Phoenix defender Walter Scott, who are trialling with the club...
  12. ^ "Wellington Phoenix set to spend Christmas in Australia as A-League start date confirmed". Stuff.co.nz. 15 October 2020.
  13. ^ "'There is no option': Wellington Phoenix to move to NSW for A-League season". Stuff.co.nz. 27 October 2020.
  14. ^ "Clayton Lewis Signs with Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 28 October 2020.
  15. ^ "James McGarry Signs with Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 28 October 2020.
  16. ^ Hewett, William (30 October 2020). "Football: Wellington Phoenix sign Australian midfielder Joshua Laws". Newshub.
  17. ^ "Matt Ridenton Returns To The Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 6 November 2020.
  18. ^ "Mirza Muratovic Signs With Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 10 November 2020.
  19. ^ "Wellington Phoenix Signs Tomer Hemed As Marquee Striker". Wellington Phoenix. 30 November 2020.
  20. ^ "Sam Sutton Signs First Professional Contract with Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 29 October 2020.
  21. ^ "Clayton Lewis Signs with Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 28 October 2020.
  22. ^ "James McGarry Signs with Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 28 October 2020.
  23. ^ Hewett, William (30 October 2020). "Football: Wellington Phoenix sign Australian midfielder Joshua Laws". Newshub.
  24. ^ "Matt Ridenton Returns To The Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 6 November 2020.
  25. ^ "Mirza Muratovic Signs With Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 10 November 2020.
  26. ^ "Wellington Phoenix Signs Tomer Hemed As Marquee Striker". Wellington Phoenix. 30 November 2020.
  27. ^ "Wellington Phoenix Signs Charles Lokoli-Ngoy". Wellington Phoenix. 17 February 2020.
  28. ^ "Steven Taylor Returns To Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 5 March 2021.
  29. ^ Rollo, Phillip (27 August 2020). "Wellington Phoenix rising star Liberato Cacace joins Belgian club Sint-Truiden". Stuff.co.nz.
  30. ^ "David Ball Signs Extension With Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 27 October 2020.
  31. ^ "Hudson-Wihongi Re-Signs with Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 29 October 2020.
  32. ^ "Liam McGing Re-Signs For The Upcoming Season". Wellington Phoenix. 2 November 2020.
  33. ^ "Luke DeVere Re-Signs With Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 6 November 2020.
  34. ^ "Wellington Phoenix Re-Signs Clayton Lewis for Two Years". Wellington Phoenix. 18 May 2021.
  35. ^ "Wellington Phoenix Re-Signs Oliver Sail for Two Years". Wellington Phoenix. 19 May 2021.
  36. ^ "Ben Waine Commits To Wellington Phoenix For Three Years". Wellington Phoenix. 20 May 2021.
  37. ^ "Steven Taylor Re-Signs With Wellington Phoenix for Season 2021/22". Wellington Phoenix. 4 June 2021.
  38. ^ "Wellington Phoenix Re-Signs Louis Fenton for Season 2021/22". Wellington Phoenix. 10 June 2021.
  39. ^ "FFA Cup to introduce Hyundai A-League play-off process from 2020". Football Federation Australia. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2021.