Can Wellington Phoenix make it a fantastic five as they continue their bid for top spot? Do not miss this absolutely massive clash!
Can Wellington Phoenix make it a fantastic five as they continue their bid for top spot? Do not miss this absolutely massive clash!
It’s the biggest game of the season so far for Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium on Sunday afternoon!
Simply put, 90 minutes against the current premiers will play a hugely important part in defining the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season. Defeat would see them leapfrogged by Roar and consequently slip out of the top two, a draw would retain the status quo, but a win would be huge!
If Ricki Herbert’s men can secure a victory then they would open up a five-point gap between themselves and Brisbane with just a handful of games to go, meaning a top-two finish would be theirs for the taking.
So, if ever there was a time to get down to Westpac Stadium and show your support, it is this Sunday. With four wins from four, your team are flying at the moment, and your support can give them the boost they need to secure a top-two spot at the season’s end. So let’s make it a huge crowd this weekend. Fever Zone, get ready to roar!
Last week, Phoenix won on the road once again to stay ahead of Brisbane on the ladder. Winning away is becoming quite a habit! On Friday night, they made Adelaide pay for some sloppy defending to record a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Bruce Djite’s goal looked set to burst Wellington’s bubble, but despite coming under lots of pressure, the visitors kept their heads and struck back through Tim Brown and Dani Sanchez.
Buoyed by the four-game winning streak, Phoenix go into this match with real confidence as they take on a Brisbane Roar side that has failed to beat them in the two games they have played this season. Indeed, Wellington have taken four from a possible six points against the current champions.
While the ladder wouldn’t suggest it now, when the New Zealand side travelled to Queensland earlier in the season, they did so as lambs to the slaughter as Roar were in the midst of their seemingly unstoppable run.
However, despite being under constant pressure for pretty much the entire 90 minutes, Phoenix held on for an incredibly valuable point and showed tremendous spirit to fight back after conceding an early Besart Berisha header.
After Tim Brown slotted home an equaliser, it was a case of frantic defending from the away side. The draw felt like a win. However, more recently in Dunedin, there was no need for such desperate defensive action, as Ricki Herbert’s team pulled Brisbane apart and subjected them to their third straight loss.
However, while the Phoenix will be confident of another profitable afternoon, they take on a Roar side that last weekend proved they still have teeth, with a crucial win against the ladder leaders.
Goals from Erik Paartalu and Berisha secured three vital points, ended the Mariners’ unbeaten run of 15 games and kept the pressure on the New Zealanders in the thrilling hunt for second spot.
Can Wellington remain unbeaten against Roar all season and simultaneously boost their hopes of a top-two finish while denting Brisbane’s chances?
Get along to Westpac Stadium for what is sure to be Hyundai A-League action at its most explosive and exciting. If the Phoenix are to prove they have got what it takes to go all the way this season, this is exactly the kind of game they need to be winning. So, Fever Zone, raise your voices and help them do just that.
