Soccer: Durante confident of away win

Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington Phoenix hope an unbeaten record against Gold Coast United outweighs their struggles on the road in soccer's A-League when the two teams meet at Gold Coast tomorrow night (11pm start NZT).

Wellington moved up to fourth following a character-building 2-1 home win against North Queensland last Friday and, following off-field distractions at the club this week, again turn their attention to securing three elusive points away from home.

They have registered just one of a possible 12 points in Australia this season with one draw from four matches but if they could feel at ease anywhere across the Tasman Sea, Skilled Park might just be the venue.

In two visits last season they were unbeaten, scoring a win and a dominant draw when other teams habitually struggled at Gold Coast's home base.

In fact, they have not lost to Gold Coast - at home or away - in four competitive meetings.

"It's always good to have those statistics behind us - for whatever reason we have a good record against them and hopefully it will continue - but it's not going to be an easy game," Wellington captain Andrew Durante told NZPA.

"They've been in some good form lately and they have some very good players but, with the quality of team we have, we should go into every game fairly confident, home or away."

Also in Wellington's favour would be the lack of an atmosphere at Skilled Park, Durante said.

Irrespective of results, Gold Coast have always attracted paltry crowds and their most recent home match, against Newcastle eight days ago, drew just 2091 fans.

"It's kind of an eerie feel, they've got one side of the stadium completely empty now," Durante said.

"It's probably in the opposition's advantage rather than the home team, so we've got to make sure we do the job."

Gold Coast are seventh, one point Wellington, although they have just lost one of seven matches.

They have the league's best defence having conceded five goals, but without All Whites striker Shane Smeltz, who is now playing in Turkey, they are in desperate need of a cutting edge.

However, Durante was wary of current Australian international Jason Culina pulling the strings in midfield.

There will be at least one enforced change to Wellington's starting team.

Midfielder Vince Lia received an automatic one-week suspension after being sent off against North Queensland and will likely be replaced by striker Paul Ifill, who returns after a groin injury sidelined him for a week.

It is not a like-for-like swap so coach Ricki Herbert would have to tinker with his midfield combination, possibly dropping Tim Brown and/or Nick Ward into a more defensive role.

The players have presented a united front this week after Phoenix owner Terry Serepisos was threatened with legal action for unpaid ACC levies relating to the club, a matter he resolved before it reached the courts, and insist their minds have been on the job.

Wellington utility Troy Hearfield, expected to start on the bench, will make his 50th appearance for the Phoenix should he feature against Gold Coast.

- NZPA