THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

A-League side Wellington Phoenix to tour India

A-League side Wellington Phoenix to tour India

Wellington Phoenix FC will be touring India as part of their pre-season preparations later this month. The New Zealand based team plays its football in Australia’s top flight A-League and they are scheduled to particpate in the ‘North East Lajong Super Series’ organised by JPR Events.

The A-League outfit coached by former World Cupper Ricki Herbert will travel to New Delhi on August 19 after a friendly match against fellow A-League club Newcastle Jets in Weston, Australia, before continue their journey to India’s Northeast.

“We have struggled for meaningful pre-season games at times in the past and this will give our players a real workout,” head coach Ricki Herbert told to the official club website. “Some of the boys from our School of Excellence will be on the trip and it will be a great experience for them, as well as giving the coaching staff an opportunity to assess their progress against good teams in a challenging environment.”

“With two under-21 spots still to be filled it also gives them a chance to put their hand up for a playing contract,” he continued. “Also it will provide an opportunity for the new players and staff to bond.”

Wellington Phoenix will face I-League sides Shillong Lajong FC and United Sikkim FC in the tournament which will be played in Guwahati, Imphal and Shillong from August 24 to September 1. The tournament will kick-off with a group stage, while the top two teams would play the final in Shillong.

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FIXTURES

August 24, 2012 | at Guwahati, Assam
United Sikkim FC – Wellington Phoenix

August 26, 2012 | at Imphal, Manipur
Shillong Lajong FC – Wellington Phoenix

August 30, 2012 | Shillong, Meghalaya
Shillong Lajong FC – United Sikkim FC

September 1, 2012 | at Shillong, Meghalaya
FINAL

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WELLINGTON PHOENIX FC – SQUAD

Goalkeepers
Glen Moss, Scott Basalaj

Defenders
Andrew Durante, Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Muscat, Benjamin Sigmund, Luke Rowe, Thomas Doyle, Alec Solomons

Midfielders
Leonadis Bertos, Jeremy Brockie, Cameron Lindsay, Tony Lochhead, Michael Boxall, Justin Gulley, Louis Fenton

Forwards
Paul Ifill, Alex Smith, Benjamin Totori, Thomas Biss, Tyler Boyd

Officials
Ricki Herbert (Head Coach), Jonathan Gould (Goalkeeping Coach), Chris Greenacre (Technique coach), Russel Gray (Team Manager), Wayne Roberts (Physio), David Dome (General Manager)