Former All White Harry Ngata has joined nzherald.co.nz to provide expert analysis on the Phoenix and New Zealand’s World Cup campaign.
The Wellington Phoenix ended a long and, at times, torturous wait for New Zealand football fans when they made the A-League finals for the first time at the weekend.
The Phoenix qualified without kicking a ball before their round 26 clash with Gold Coast United on Sunday after Adelaide defeated Brisbane 2-0 the night before and Sydney outclassed Perth 3-2. The question now is will they finish fourth and secure a mouth-watering home semfinal by beating the Central Coast Mariners on Friday? Perth and Newcastle are also in the race for the final home playoff with Melbourne Victory, Gold Coast and Sydney FC filling the top three spots.
After the All Whites' success last year, a home semifinal would be another boost for the game in this country and with the Phoenix's outstanding record at Westpac Stadium it would give them a huge chance of progressing deep into the finals.
Wellington will be the first New Zealand franchise to foot it in the business part of the season after the Football Kingz and Knights failed to do so. After a promising first two years the Kingz died a slow, miserable death and the Knights, well, it was misery.
The Phoenix got what they deserved on a humid sticky night at Skilled Park and showed why many say they deserve the tag of the toughest team to beat.
A gritty resolve and determination not to concede were telling factors as were the stellar performances from skipper Andrew Durante and John McKain at the heart of the back line. They continually came up with the answers for 19-goal striker Shane Smeltz and marquee man Jason Culina.
The midfield of Tim Brown and Vince Lia were again tireless and the English partnership of Paul Ifill and Chris Greenacre up front kept the Coast defenders constantly on their toes with Ifill slotting his 10th goal of the campaign from the penalty spot.
What was also pleasing for Ricki Herbert was the contribution from his bench. Depth has always been a talking point in previous seasons but the presence of Leo Bertos, Ben Sigmund and Eugene Dadi gives his squad the balance and flexibility to make quick and decisive changes.
Herbert must now call on his men to make a shift in their mindset with finals football around the corner. It will bring a new level they have not experienced both mentally and physically. It's what they have been playing for and what the fans have been waiting for since 1999. He will need nothing less than a fully fit squad desperate to continue their fantastic Westpac Stadium form that has seen them undefeated there since October 2008.
Another night like the historic one on November 14 last year both on and off the park will do nicely thanks Ricki.
