Soccer: Pantelis eager to make his mark for Phoenix

Lucas Pantelis. Photo / Getty Images

After being frozen out at Adelaide United, new Wellington Phoenix recruit Lucas Pantelis is eager to make an impression on the football pitch for his second A-League club.

A left-sided attacking midfielder, Pantelis was frustrated at being on the outer at Adelaide after recovering from a knee injury only to lose favour with coach Rini Coolen despite playing 101 times for the South Australian club,

"The decision to leave Adelaide, where I was born and bred, was made easier by the fact I fell out of favour with Rini.

"I had come back from a knee injury and was feeling good but wasn't getting picked in the team.

"I love my football and just want to play, not train all week and then watch from the bench or the stand," he said.

The 29-year-old was the last player left at Adelaide from their inaugural season after captain Travis Dodd departed for Perth Glory in the off-season and his move prompted Pantelis to assess his options.

"When Travis told me he was leaving for Perth I thought maybe it was time for me to look for a new challenge," he said.

Pantelis, who has scored 14 A-League goals, made a habit of playing well against the Phoenix, something he believes may have worked in his favour.

"I always seemed to do okay and score goals against the Phoenix. Perhaps that's why Ricki (Herbert) came calling.

"But seriously, I am really excited about joining the Phoenix. My wife Carla is also looking forward to Wellington along with our 17-month-old son Marcus."

Any doubts he had about the move were allayed after a chat with Phoenix captain Andrew Durante.

"He told me the players mainly live close to each other and that they spend a lot of time together away from the club.

"That is how it was at Adelaide. We would go out to lunch together after training and have a lot of fun.

"A lot of clubs are missing that closeness, especially in the bigger cities.

"I can't wait to get over there and begin a new challenge."

- NZPA