Soccer: Gales aid undefeated run

Phoenix player Tim Brown. Photo / Getty Images

They might not yet have reached the levels of Chelsea or Real Madrid but the Phoenix have the chance to establish a remarkable record today.

Wellington will create a new Australian league record if they win or draw against the Melbourne Heart, taking their unbeaten streak in the capital to 24 games.

That record dates back to October 2008 and it would see them surpass the 23 games Sydney United established in the old NSL between 1996 and 1999.

Chelsea went 86 games unbeaten at Stamford Bridge in the English Premier League between 2004 and 2008, while Real Madrid went an incredible 121 league games unbeaten at home between 1956 and 1965.

"Why not go for that?" Phoenix midfielder Tim Brown said, only half joking.

"I think we are all pretty proud of what we have got going at the moment. I'm desperate for it to continue.

"I wonder how much of it is an intimidation factor. You have to come to Wellington and you know about the streak, because I think everyone does now, and then you have this crowd that's pretty hostile and a long flight you don't really want to do. I think the longer we can keep it going, it's a big advantage for us."

Northerly gales are forecast this afternoon, which will suit Wellington. It will also suit Brown, not because he enjoys playing in difficult conditions but because he is used to it and knows the opposition will struggle with it.

A particular favourite of his is watching them put out cones for their warm-up and then witnessing the cones blow across the park.

Wellington use poles for their warm-up drills.

"As you line up in the tunnel [beforehand] you know, pretty much to a man, they don't want to be there," Brown says.

"I can think of only two teams - Newcastle and Perth - who have come here and we haven't been able to run over. It gives us a lot of confidence going into the game."