Soccer: Race for A League play offs heats up

Phoenix team members. Photo / Getty Images

Heat, injuries, suspensions and a tough end-of-season schedule are taking their toll as the race for the Hyundai A-League play-offs intensifies.

Newcastle Jets have their chance to burst back into contention tonight when they play their rescheduled home fixture with North Queensland Fury.

Going into the game, ironically a repeat of their Saturday night clash at Dairy Farmers Stadium - won 3-1 by the Jets with the Fury's only goal a Mark Hughes penalty deep into stoppage time - the Jets are well aware a win will push Melbourne Heart out of the six and leave the Wellington Phoenix down in eighth.

Fresh from their 1-0 home win over the Phoenix on Sunday, Graham Arnold and his Central Coast Mariners have no time to sit back and reflect.

They return to Bluetongue Stadium tomorrow night to face league leaders Brisbane Roar who are keen to bounce back to winning form after falling to their 10th draw of the season in being held 1-1 at home by Perth Glory in the week 22 opener.

The clash gives the Coasters the chance to close to within a point of second-placed Adelaide who have played three more games than the Mariners.

Arnold was delighted with his team's effort against Ricki Herbert's Phoenix after a tardy start.

"I thought the first six minutes were poor but after that there was only one team on the field in the first half," Arnold said.

Herbert took some pride in the manner in which his players rallied in the second half.

Despite the loss the Phoenix can still make the top six.

"We've got our destiny in our own hands," said Herbert.

It does not get any easier as Wellington are back in Australia on Sunday for the tough away game with Brisbane.

The Phoenix will be without inspirational midfielder Manny Muscat who copped his fifth yellow card in the loss to Central Coast and faces the mandatory one-match ban.

Melbourne Victory hard man Kevin Muscat will also be staying at home this weekend after a second yellow, then red, card ended his part in the humiliating 4-1 loss to Adelaide. Melbourne are away to long-time rivals Sydney FC on Saturday.

Inspired by golden boot leader Sergio van Dijk, Adelaide produced one of their best efforts of the season.

Marcos Flores gave them the early lead but it was a cracking van Dijk freekick from 30 metres which stunned Melbourne. He later added a second while the home side claimed a stoppage time consolation.

Sydney enjoyed one of their better days with a 2-0 home win over Gold Coast. While Gold Coast had most scoring attempts (17) only one was on target whereas the home side tested Glen Moss in the Coast goal with six of their 12 attempts.

In other week 23 games, Newcastle are at home to Central Coast and Melbourne Heart travel to play Perth.