Soccer: Roar big challenge for Phoenix

Leo Bertosv in action for the Wellington Phoenix. Photo / Paul Taylor

One of the last things the Wellington Phoenix need is a visit from the Brisbane Roar.

As Ernie Merrick's side search for their first win of the season they need a gimme, someone they could hope to take the points from - anyone but the Roar.

Meeting Brisbane has never been kind to the Phoenix. In 19 previous games, they've only tasted success twice, while they've earned five draws and been dealt 12 losses by the perennially strong Queenslanders, which makes for Wellington's worst record against any A-League side.

The Phoenix's long-standing troubles in a couple of Australian cities have skewed their win/loss records against certain teams but even when they're surrounded by the comforts of home, Wellington can't find favourable results when they meet the Roar.

Tonight the Phoenix host the Roar at Westpac Stadium in what will be Merrick's ninth official game in charge of the Wellington-based club.

They've gone close to winning games this year and gone close to drawing games they should have won but lost at the death and they're still yet to put a mark in the win column this summer.

Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante admitted yesterday that a sense of frustration was growing among the players as the side sits ninth on the ladder with only four points - eight points outside the top six.

"There's obviously frustration," Durante said. "I think the football we are playing deserves a lot more points than we've got. I think last year around this time, we were on about 12 points and probably not playing great football.

"So football's funny, sometimes you can play great football and not get results. So it is frustrating."

As if hosting the runaway league-leaders wasn't enough of a challenge, Merrick may be without a couple of his frontline midfielders as he was going to wait till this morning to make a call on Carlos Hernandez (quadriceps) and Albert Riera (groin/abdominal).

Veteran Paul Ifill is also battling with a minor groin problem.