Soccer: Ifill has chance to get game time in playoffs

Paul Ifill (right) of the Phoenix commentates during the match against the Newcastle Jets. Photo / Getty Images

Soccer, not social functions, remains Ricki Herbert's priority in the lead-up to Friday night's must-win elimination playoff with Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Within hours of Sunday's 3-1 sixth place-sealing win over North Queensland Fury Herbert, with captain Andrew Durante and sidelined striker Paul Ifill, were expected to fly to Australia for yesterday's finals series launch.

Understandably, Herbert baulked at that, pointing to the short turnaround his team faces in preparing for what has become their most important game of the A-League season.

The club was represented at yesterday's launch in Sydney by assistant coach Luciano Trani and midfielder Diego.

While the duo were facing the media across the Tasman, the remaining players relaxed after a recovery session yesterday morning. There will be another light session for some players today after which Herbert will name the squad who will travel to Adelaide tomorrow.

There are likely to be few changes from the squad who stripped for Sunday's last home game of the season but with an extra player to be added in accordance with the rules, which allows for an additional substitute for the playoffs.

It is likely, provided he gets through today's session and a fitness test on Thursday, Ifill will be added with the view of giving him some game time in his first outing since injury forced him out in mid-late December.

Herbert will also check midfielder Vince Lia, who has been out with a hamstring injury but is keen to force his way back into consideration. Defender James Musa is likely to stay at home if Ifill or Lia travel.

Herbert's other concern is the short turnaround between his team's last regular season game and the finals series opener.

Brisbane Roar, who ended their regular season with a 4-0 thumping of Gold Coast United in the all-Queensland affair, have, like Adelaide, a full week between fixtures. The Coast have eight days off before meeting Melbourne Victory in the second elimination semifinal on Sunday.

"I think the club has requested a reason behind it," said Herbert. "We were the last game of the weekend and we will be the first one off the next. I think the travel [in recent weeks] hasn't been kind to us either."