KEY POINTS:
Big Match
Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United
Westpac Stadium, 7 tonight
Phoenix: Glen Moss, Jeremy Christie, Steve O'Dor, Karl Dodd, Tony Lochhead, Ross Aloisi , Michael Ferrante, Richard Johnson, Daniel, Felipe, Shane Smeltz. Substitutes, Mark Paston, Steven Old, George, Vaughan Coveny.
Adelaide (from): Daniel Beltrame, Richie Alagich, Angelo Costanzo, Cassio, Lucas Pantelis, Kristian Sarkies, Paul Agostino , Nathan Burns, Bruce Djite, Travis Dodd, Jonas Salley, Isyan Erdogan, Robert Cornthwaite, Jason Spagnuolo, Diego, Robert Bajic (one to be omitted).
The battles within the battle will hold plenty of interest when the Wellington Phoenix chase a second straight A-League win against Adelaide United in Wellington tonight.
Phoenix captain Ross Aloisi goes up against the team he led to last season's grand final before being unceremoniously dumped in a major cleanout. His battle with Adelaide's talented Brazilian left-sided defender Cassio promises plenty.
The home side will also be well aware of what former New Zealand Knights midfielder Jonas Salley brings to his new club. His only blot so far this season is being booked in three of the four games.
For Aurelio Vidmar, who inherited the coaching reins when John Kosmina was ditched, and captain Paul Agostino, tonight's game is the platform for a first win of the season proper after hitting form early in winning the Pre-Season Cup.
With three draws and a loss, the visitors are a point behind the Phoenix. But in marquee striker Nathan Burns, top equal on the goalscoring list with two, they have a player who will always command respect and bring out the best in the in-form Phoenix central defensive pairing of Australians Steve O'Dor and Karl Dodd.
It will be no surprise if coach Ricki Herbert puts out the same team tonight as that which scored the come-from-behind 2-1 win in Sydney last week. Herbert might have been tempted to make changes to give some players game time, especially after the Phoenix beat NZFC club Team Wellington 5-1 in midweek.
He will again start Glen Moss in goal and have All Whites Jeremy Christie and Tony Lochhead as his fullbacks. In midfield Aloisi will be joined by fellow Australians Michael Ferrante and Richard Johnson with Brazilians Daniel and Felipe providing support for Shane Smeltz.
* Meanwhile, plans to host the first leg of the Oceania World Cup qualifier against Vanuatu in Christchurch have been vetoed by Fifa who ruled the home and away legs of such ties cannot be played in the same country. This was in spite of Vanuatu agreeing to play here after their Port Vila ground was deemed unfit for the October 13 tie. The second leg will be played as scheduled on October 17 in Wellington. The first leg might now be played in Fiji, the Solomon Islands or Australia.
