A-League: Adelaide star Paul Izzo questions Sydney hub amid COVID-19 uncertainty
The A-League’s season-saving move to bring all 11 teams into a NSW hub left players from rival states perplexed, according to Adelaide United star Paul Izzo.
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Adelaide United goalkeeper Paul Izzo has questioned the season-saving decision to house the A-League hub in Sydney amid rising COVID-19 concerns in NSW and Victoria, describing players as “puppets” in the bid to finish the season.
Izzo has been in tremendous form for the Reds since the competition’s resumption, making 11 saves as Adelaide backed up a 1-0 win over Brisbane with a 1-1 draw with high-flyers Wellington to firm up their finals hopes.
But the talented shot-stopper expressed his surprise at the league shifting the remainder of the season to Sydney, where a recent spike in COVID-19 cases has players and fans on edge about another lockdown.
A-League officials have contingency plans in place — with a move to Queensland already mooted — should the worst-case scenario of a second lockdown in Sydney materialise.
“I know for sure our team definitely questioned why the hub was going to be in Sydney,” Izzo said on Monday.
“I’m sure other teams, from Perth, Brisbane and so on, were definitely questioning why Sydney — out of the whole of Australia — (was chosen).
“We probably could’ve gone anywhere but here or Melbourne.
“We’re not the people that make the decisions, we’re kind of just the little puppets I guess who have to go on the field and play the game and, in a way, rescue what deals are left with sponsors and so on.”
The A-League faced the very real possibility of not returning at all following the four-month shutdown, before a broadcast deal was brokered late last month, a point which left many in the game facing a period of unease.
“It was pretty worrying, I think for everyone, the state of the league and probably what football in the country was looking like,” he said.
“One big disaster and everything flipped upside down. No one had back up plans.
“In a way we got to see things that we probably wouldn’t have seen if none of this ever happened, but I think we’re lucky to be in the hub and finishing off the season.”
The 25-year-old Izzo endured a tougher shutdown period than most, having been involved in a car accident in June which left him needing stitches in his left hand, but said the experience had given him a new outlook on life.
“It definitely made me think about what’s really important, and while football for me is my income and my job, I think my life is pretty important as well,” he said.
“It made me think about things a lot differently. I’m just grateful to be here and now I’ve given myself a fresh start and here I am.”
On the field, Izzo has been putting in performances which have strengthened his claims to a potential Socceroos call-up, as an understudy to undisputed No. 1 Mat Ryan.
Adelaide lost their final four games leading into the shutdown, and had shipped a worrying 42 goals in the campaign — but in 180 minutes since the resumption they’ve looked a side reborn and conceded just once.
“Before, it was a bit more chaotic and it was hard to organise and it was a bit uncomfortable,” Izzo said of the improved defensive effort.
“Now, it’s a lot more comfortable and it’s better defending with less stress because everyone knows their role. It makes a massive difference.”
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