Wellington Olympic goalkeeper Scott Basalaj says he expects the men’s National League to be competitive in which “no game is a given”.
Basalaj (30) says Olympic’s goal is to try to win the National League and then “knock off” the OFC Champions League which has eluded the Central League champions before.
Speaking to NewstalkZB broadcaster Adam Cooper, Basalaj said winning the Chatham Cup had given his team a boost ahead of the National League, as most of the Olympic players had not won that trophy before.
Basalaj saved a vital penalty in the shoot-out that gave Olympic a 5-4 win on penalties after they and arch rivals Auckland City were level 1-1 after extra time.
READ MORE: Wellington Olympic beat Auckland City in penalty shootout to lift Chatham Cup >>>>
Basalaj said he was looking forward to training in better weather for the summer league, and playing on good surfaces.
The men’s and women’s National Leagues start at the end of September.
Main photo: Olympic keeper Scott Basalaj. Photo: Dave Lintott / Phototek.
Olympic’s pre-season preparation includes a Community Day fixture against A-League side Wellington Phoenix on Sunday September 22.
READ MORE: Chatham Cup winners Olympic to play Phoenix in pre-season match >>>>
Listen to Scott Basalaj interview
Here the full 10-minute interview here:
Fixture
Game to be played on Sunday September 22, 2024
Wellington Phoenix v Wellington Olympic
Martin Luckie Park, Berhampore, 2pm
This story was first published on September 16, 2024.
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