- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The postponed Round 7 A-League clash between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory has been rescheduled to Tuesday, January 17 in between Rounds 15 and 16.
The match, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, November 19, had to be postponed due to an earthquake that struck the Wellington region in the days leading up to the clash, causing damage to the Phoenix’s home ground, Westpac Stadium.
The earthquake caused enough damage that the stadium was unfit for use, and being so close to the game it was impossible to change grounds for the match with supporters travelling from Melbourne for the match.
However, the re-scheduled match will still be played at Westpac Stadium, as was originally planned.
The kick-off time for the clash will be 7:45pm (NZST) – 5:45pm (AEDT) – and the Phoenix said they worked with all parties to ensure the match could be rescheduled at a time that suited everyone.
In a statement, Phoenix general manager David Dorne said the club felt it was important to keep the match in Wellington, meaning it had to be held off long enough for Westpac Stadium to be re-turfed.
“After negotiations with our partners, we are very happy that our home match against Melbourne Victory has been rescheduled to Tuesday 17 January 2017,” Dorne said.
“We will be playing matches in Auckland and Hamilton while Westpac Stadium surface is re-laid for the first time in its history.
“We felt it was very important to keep the rescheduled fixture against Melbourne Victory in Wellington.
“Phoenix fans will now have the opportunity to watch four home games in Wellington in January, three of which will be back-to-back and during the school holiday period.”
The Phoenix, who have to play their games at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland and Waikato Stadium in Hamilton between now and when Westpac Stadium is available for use again, are currently sitting last in the A-League and were rocked by the resignation of coach Ernie Merrick earlier this week.
Merrick, who also spent time coaching the Victory, stood down on Monday, saying he had not performed well enough as the side’s head coach.
He has been replaced on an interim basis by Chris Greenacre and Des Buckingham while the Phoenix search for a new full-time head coach.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.