With Adelaide United’s clash against Wellington Phoenix fast approaching, we take a closer look at three dangermen the Reds should look out for when the two sides meet on Friday at Westpac Stadium.
Roy Krishna
Earning the reputation as one of the most prolific goal scorers in New Zealand’s local leagues, Fijian, Roy Krishna, managed an astounding 72 goals in just 102 appearances for Waitakere United before eventually joining Wellington Phoenix halfway through 2013/14. Most notably making his mark last season, scoring nine goals in the Hyundai A-League, Krishna has a deadly eye for goal and an abundance of pace to match. He’s already managed two goals and one assist so far this season, but has also created four quality chances for his teammates. Krishna’s ability to impact a game directly, but also have the awareness and proficiency to create chances for others, could see him split the United defence with ease if the Reds don’t mark him tightly and prevent him from driving forward too often.
Round 5:
Total Shots: 1
Shots Outside the Box: 1
Shot Assists: 1
Passing Accuracy: 83.3%
Roly Bonevacia
Despite being yet to score this season, Roly Bonevacia’s impact for Wellington Phoenix has been very noticeable and in the past he has proven a constant menace to the Reds. The 24-year-old learned his craft at the world-renowned Ajax Youth Academy before being signed by the Phoenix in 2014, slotting into their outfit seamlessly. Whilst young, the experience Bonevacia gained from his time at Ajax is blatantly obvious through his every stroke of a football. A hardworking and energetic footballer, Bonevacia has many attributes associated with a traditional box-to-box midfielder, just as effective going forward as he is in his defensive duties. Having four quality chances credited to his name so far this season, coupled with his goal against United from Round 6 of last season, which proves he knows how to open up our defence, Bonevacia’s pitch-wide ingenuity should definitely be highlighted by the Reds.
Round 5:
Total Shots: 3
Shots on Target: 2
Total Crosses: 2
Passing Accuracy: 77.8%
Jeffrey Sarpong
27-year-old Jeffrey Sarpong is a new signing for the Wellington Phoenix, joining the club at the start of this season. Like Bonevacia, Sarpong began his career at the esteemed Ajax Youth Academy and over the space of four years from 2006, featured for the Ajax’s first team 20 times, scoring two goals. In the early stages of his career, Sarpong also played ten matches for the Dutch U21 side and scored one goal. After being loaned from Ajax to fellow Dutch side, Nijmegen Eendracht Combinatie, he was then signed by Spanish club, Real Sociedad, eventually returning to the Netherlands with NAC Breda, before venturing to the Hyundai A-League with the Nix. With one assist to his name so far this season, Sarpong’s pace, trickery, unpredictability, and European football experience could cause United issues especially on the wings.
Round 5:
Minutes Played: 45
Duels Won: 25%
Passing Accuracy: 63.6%
Touches: 20
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