Soccer: Huysegems' goal proof of the striker's worth

Huysegems' goal proved the difference as Wellington squeezed past Sydney FC 1-0 at Westpac Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

Stein Huysegems is now the Wellington Phoenix's second-most important attacking player.

With Paul Ifill gone for the season after he ruptured his Achilles tendon against Sydney FC last weekend and Jeremy Brockie's confidence at a near all-time low, the import striker's value cannot be understated.

Huysegems clearly sits below attacking midfielder Carlos Hernandez in the pecking order but his impressive work-rate up front will be crucial as the Phoenix look to build on the small amount of momentum they gained after their first win of the season last Sunday.

It was Huysegems' goal that proved the difference as Wellington squeezed past Sydney FC 1-0 at Westpac Stadium and they will be hoping for something similar when the Phoenix meet the Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park tonight.

Huysegems has been inconsistent in front of goal this season - his off-night against the Central Coast Mariners eight days ago was not pretty, including having a second-half penalty saved - but his confidence has never wavered.

"Of course, after the game you are disappointed because you missed the penalty and another chance in the first half," Huysegems recalled.

"But the day after, you have to start again and we were really focused for the game against Sydney on Sunday. So I was really out to prove that I can score goals and I hit the post also, so I was unlucky at that moment ... It was good for my confidence to score the goal and get the three points."

Given he has played professional football for 15 years, the 31-year-old has learned to shake off frustration and quickly move on to the next game.

His contribution on the park is not based around a cerebral ability to pounce on the loose ball and score plenty, but he has a technically-astute passing game and few Phoenix forwards have ever covered more ground off the ball.

Huysegems' desire to go looking for work and get involved defensively fits in to the style of play coach Ernie Merrick wants to cultivate in Wellington and the former Belgian international, who represented his country 15 times between 2004 and 2009, has also netted three goals from 11 starts this year.

The former Feyenoord marksman said the Phoenix desperately needed their win over Sydney after a string of games where they had the better of the contest but struggled to score enough goals.

"You need to get the confidence in the team and you only get that with wins so, of course, the more games you lose the more you get afraid to lose every game."