After scoring the only goal in a tight 1-0 win over Melbourne City, the English forward spoke about how content he was with life in New Zealand and the Kiwi capitol.
“If you’re not happy it does go on to the pitch,” he revealed. “I’m happy here, my family are happy here.”
Ball joined the club after spending his career playing in England for a variety of different clubs, including Fleetwood Town, and has hit the ground running under Ufuk Talay’s leadership.
Good start
Five goals and five assists represent a good return for the 30-year-old, who added that he was keen to make sure his time in Wellington was as fruitful as possible.
“I’m away from home and I haven’t seen my family for a while now but that’s part and parcel of football and wanting to make something of your career and I want to do that here,” Ball continued.
Another import enjoying his debut A-League campaign is midfielder Matti Steinmann, who is yet to hit the back of the net and must be casting jealous looks in Ball’s direction following Saturday night.
Too Good
While the striker scored, Steinmann had one ruled out and the German quipped that he thought it was too good to be true when he saw the football cross the line.
“I had the feeling I was offside,” he admitted. “I was too free, it was too good to be true, I was so free after the free-kick.”
But despite that sadness, the Phoenix appear to be a side full of happy campers as the midfielder said he’d love to extend his stay in New Zealand beyond his initial 12 months.
Steinmann continued: “I’m keen to stay, I’m very happy here, I’m very happy with the style Ufey (Talat) has implemented with the team.”
Talay has got the side playing with an attractive, possession based style and the team are responding to that. There is a good feeling around the Nix right now and that will only swell with victory over Western United on Friday night.