Auckland’s Eden Park will again be abuzz with Hyundai A-League fever when the Wellington Phoenix host Adelaide United on Saturday.
Auckland-s Eden Park will again be abuzz with Hyundai A-League fever when the Wellington Phoenix host Adelaide United on Saturday.
The iconic 50,000 seat venue, more renowned for its hosting of international rugby union and cricket matches, will host one of the matches of the round with two teams that between them have lost just once in their past six games.
The match will see the Phoenix and Reds renew hostilities at Eden Park for the second time after the sides fought out a 1-1 draw back on November 19, 2011. On that occasion, both goals came from Adelaide United players, Bruce Djite-s first half goal breaking the deadlock before Wellington salvaged a point when a Paul Ifill cross saw Nigel Boogaard head the ball into his own net in the 83rd minute to the delight of the majority of 20,078 fans in attendance.
With another big crowd expected, it will be the third time the Phoenix has homed one of its games at New Zealand-s largest stadium, that first encounter with the Reds followed by a match against Perth Glory in front of a crowd of 11,566 in February last year.
Notably, despite the season coming into Round 17 this weekend, it will be the first time the Phoenix and Reds have met in Season 9. With the Phoenix looking to close the four point gap behind the Reds, who currently hold down sixth spot, New Zealand football fans based in Auckland could be in for on field fireworks on Saturday.
Kick-Off is at 7:30pm local time. Click here to purchase tickets and click here for the official match preview.
