Pantelis feels isolated at Phoenix
February 22, 2012 18:27:40 UK
Not many people would remember the name Lucas Pantelis, who is on the Wellington Phoenix books these days.
The 29-year-old midfielder linked up with the Kiwi club at the end of last season but picked up a serious knee injury at the very start of his Phoenix career. He then underwent knee reconstruction surgery to repair the damage, which made sure that he wouldn't play a single game for his new club in the 2011/12 A-League season.
Wellington Phoenix are 3.75 to defeat Sydney FC, who themselves are 2.00 to get the win. A draw between the two sides can be backed at 3.40.
Pantelis has been a mere spectator in all the months that have passed by since the start of the season, while his teammates have touched the highs and lows of the A-League before settling for their current fourth-place position on the points table.
Rehabilitations after serious injuries are always tough but it was even more difficult for Pantelis, as he wasn't even familiar with his new teammates and surroundings before his knee was damaged in training.
He confessed: "If I'd been here for two or three years where the players all know me it would have been a bit different. But the fact I was new you do feel a little bit left out, especially when the boys travel. You're always asking questions. What happened? You want to know all about the funny stuff that goes on around the away trips and you do definitely miss that.
"When a team is going well, like we have been, you wish you were part of it. You are kind of part of it from a team perspective but you're not actually doing anything with respects to that achievement."
However, he is confident he will make a full recovery from his injury and be back with brand new spirit in the 2012/13 A-League season.
"...Hopefully I can come back fitter and stronger next year and be involved in all of that," he added.
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