KEY POINTS:
Wellington Phoenix soccer coach Ricki Herbert has questioned the timing of Shane Smeltz's departure announcement as his team try to regain focus for their favourite A-League opponents.
Smeltz, the team's key striker, this week confirmed he would join new A-League team Gold Coast United at season's end as the struggling Phoenix prepare to face Sydney FC here tonight.
It's just what Herbert didn't need as he also digested the news his captain Andrew Durante (hamstring) will miss the match, as will midfielder Leilei Gao (calf).
Durante was poised for his 50th A-League match.
It means defender Jon McKain will assume the captaincy as the Phoenix attempt to bounce back from a 0-2 defeat to Perth which saw them slip to the foot of the ladder as the season reaches the halfway point.
A disappointed Herbert is confident Smeltz will keep his focus for the rest of his time in Wellington but admits it will not be easy at the Sydney Football Stadium.
"There's no doubt he'll feel some pressure," said Herbert yesterday.
"I don't think it was the right time for the news to come out but Shane and his manager have their reasons. He'll be very focused and aware of his obligation to perform for us."
Smeltz, 27, said he only decided this week to switch to the Gold Coast, where he grew up, and wanted to announce it as soon as possible so as not to deceive the Phoenix. He said the move was best for his young family and had nothing to do with money.
Herbert put the onus on Smeltz to help break the Phoenix's goalscoring drought.
Midfielder Troy Hearfield and defender Manny Muscat were whistled up from Wellington to Sydney this week, and with the Durante and Gao injuries, both look likely to get game time.
In their previous meeting this season, the Phoenix staged a mini-revival with an upset 2-1 win in Wellington in September.
A year ago the Phoenix stunned their hosts with a 2-1 win in Sydney, and also beat them 3-2 in the Pre-Season Cup in Wollongong in August.
- NZPA
