Wellington Phoenix have finally been cleared to travel across the Tasman to resume their A-League campaign.
After days of uncertainty, during which other clubs had begun training for the July 17 restart, the NZ side have received clearance from New South Wales authorities to travel to Sydney and prepare for their opening game against Sydney FC.
Once in Australia, the Phoenix will base themselves at a secure facility in NSW for the month leading up to their first match, training for the first two weeks in a full-isolation environment.
Imports Ulises Davila and Gary Hooper - travelling from Mexico and the UK respectively - will meet the squad in Sydney, meaning the team will have four separate groups in quarantine.
A strict set of protocols will be in place to ensure players are protected from any COVID-19 related risks during this time, with their health and wellbeing a "key priority".
Phoenix general manager David Dome, who expressed frustration at delays earlier this week, says that the club is thrilled to be given the chance to finish the season.
"It's huge for us to see that the season can resume," Dome says. "This is the best outcome for the fans, sponsors, players and everyone involved in football across Australia and New Zealand.
"We are extremely grateful to FFA, especially head of leagues Greg O’Rourke, New South Wales Border Control and New South Wales Department of Health authorities for all their efforts in gaining the club entry into Australia."
Dome adds that anticipation among the squad has been high, with players eager to get back on the field and continue the run of form that saw them lift to third in the standings, as one of the hottest teams in the competition when the season was suspended.
"Plaudits have to go to our players for their commitment to finishing out the season - they feel they have unfinished business, and they can’t wait to go over there and rediscover that momentum we had back in March.
"With a full-strength, committed squad and the backing of New Zealand behind us, there’s no reason we can’t secure a top-three finish."
Unfortunately for the franchise and its fans, the prospect of hosting a home playoff via a trans-Tasman bubble now seems unlikely, according to Phoenix chairman Rob Morrison.
"A week ago I would have been pretty positive on that," Morrison says. "But I think now it's a lot more difficult because of what's happened this week."
