SYDNEY v PHOENIX
Sydney, 10 tonight, live SS1
Wellington Phoenix's history-making A-League soccer adventure has taken another unexpected turn as they rejected the underdog tag before today's preliminary final against Sydney FC.
Despite three regular season losses to the minor premiers seemingly justifying the Phoenix's status as outsiders, players and management yesterday spoke bullishly of New Zealand soccer's golden summer extending to next weekend's grand final against Melbourne Victory.
Coach Ricki Herbert and midfield dynamo Tim Brown downplayed the relevance of those previous setbacks against the inaugural A-League champions by maintaining they venture on to the Sydney Football Stadium supremely confident.
"It's difficult not to be confident going into this," said Brown.
"We've won eight of the last 10, we're playing some great football and we're finding ways to win in pretty difficult situations.
"If there was ever a time to think we should win against Sydney, now's that time."
Herbert was equally optimistic.
"If we really do perform, we're a genuine shot to win this one," he said.
"A lot of people didn't expect us to make the play-offs, let alone get this far.
"I sense there's a hunger and desire to go all the way. We owe Sydney one and what better stage to upset them?"
The Phoenix approach their revenge mission on a five-match winning streak that features stirring sudden death defeats of Perth Glory - on penalties - and Newcastle Jets 3-1 after extra time.
While top scorer Paul Ifill has been an inspired acquisition this season, Manny Muscat's switch from right back to a holding role in midfield has been equally valuable in stabilising the all-important middle of the park.
"He's been fantastic," Brown said of the Australian.
"It's taken time but our system has evolved to fit the players that we have so we're a vastly improved outfit from the one that's played Sydney in the past."
Sydney FC are yet to encounter Muscat in his new guise. In contrast, there is no surprise about the threats posed by their midfield maestro.
While veteran striker John Aloisi remains clinical in front of goal and the pace of Alex Brosque has already tormented the Phoenix on the SFS, Brown rated Stuart Musialik as the opponent to shut down.
"He's a supreme talent. Everything goes through him and if he starts getting touches and dictating the game it's going to be very, very tough," Brown said.
Brosque, meanwhile, was unimpressed with the positivity streaming from the Phoenix camp.
"Even though they're saying it's a one-off game and anything can happen ... psychologically, in the back of their minds, they know they haven't been able to beat us this year," he said.
Both teams wrapped up preparation today with Sydney FC confirming Socceroos defender Shannon Cole had not recovered from a hamstring strain, meaning Sebastian Ryle is retained in their back four.
And though the Phoenix won't have the luxury of fanatical home support, Brown playfully suggested Australian soccer "neutrals" would be willing the New Zealanders to victory.
"It's like when you play Manchester United - there's always a sense of wanting to knock them off their perch.
"I imagine we'll have a few people supporting us around the country."
WHAT THE EXPERTS THINK
SAM MALCOLMSON - WORLD CUP ALL WHITE
Prediction: Phoenix 2-1
There has never been a better opportunity for the Phoenix to beat Sydney. The atmosphere in their dressing room should be a hell of a lot better than Sydney's after the semifinal results.
Sydney are a different team without Steve Corica - he is the man who made them tick. And John Aloisi is only a shadow of the player he was a few years ago. Aloisi is not as sharp and his first touch has gone.
I would definitely bring Jon McKain back for Ben Sigmund because he has a great understanding with Andrew Durante and the Phoenix defending wasn't always great against Newcastle.
The Jets were poor in the semifinal yet they still had the two best chances of the first half. The Phoenix were a bit lucky because Newcastle's strikers were pathetic.
The Phoenix need to be a bit quicker ... there was a higher skill factor in the Melbourne v Sydney semifinal, but the Phoenix have got 100 per cent commitment and honesty.
Paul Ifill was the difference last week even though by his highest standards it was not his best game. Sydney will pay a lot of attention to Ifill and the only way to stop him is to stop him getting the ball. But he only needs a sniff - his skill is unquestionable.
Ricki Herbert-coached teams are always well organised and I fully expect the Phoenix to win.
DANNY HAY - FORMER ALL WHITE CAPTAIN
Prediction: Too tough to call
Like many New Zealand teams, the Phoenix struggle away from home. They are capable of winning but have to be at their best.
If they give chances the way they did against Newcastle, when the back four was caught a bit square and there was some miscommunication, they will come unstuck quickly. If Jon McKain starts he will help with his quality on the ball.
The Phoenix should aim to keep the first half hour very tight, and the Sydney fans will start putting a lot of pressure on them especially as they beat the Phoenix three times during the season. They might get a bit nervous and the Phoenix could get on top.
Steve Corica is a good mate of mine - we played together at Walsall - and he is a fantastic player, even at 36. Sydney without Corica is like the All Whites without Ryan Nelsen - Corica is that influential. I caught up with Sydney in Perth over summer and you could see what he meant to their players. If Corica was playing I would have said the Phoenix had no chance.
But the league table doesn't lie and Melbourne and Sydney are the best teams by a fair margin. That's the beauty of finals football though - the Phoenix could be under the pump and pinch it 1-0. And with the form Paul Ifill is in, they are a chance of sneaking a goal.
MATT THOMPSON - NEWCASTLE CAPTAIN, SOCCEROO
Prediction: Sydney 2-1
With home advantage, Sydney will win. The Phoenix tend to be a different side away from home, where they have won their playoff games.
The Phoenix's danger man is Paul Ifill and if Sydney stop him, they stop the Phoenix. The Sydney coach will be on to that.
To be honest, we didn't make any special plans for Ifill in the semifinal - our main focus was on our game. I wish I had sorted that situation out early in the game because everything the Phoenix did went through him.
The idea is to cut off the ball supply to him and this is a job for an old-school man-marker. Terry McFlynn could do that, although Sydney could just leave it to their left back.
It's not in Ifill's game to do any defending and so he is always fresh as a daisy to concentrate on attack. He can tear anyone to shreds and cause absolute havoc - Sydney need to put an annoying sort of player on him who won't worry about anything else.
Sydney are a quality side and I don't agree with claims that the loss of Steve Corica has wrecked their chances. They have Alex Brosque, John Aloisi and the return of Mark Bridge is huge for them. I'm confident Sydney will win but in saying that, anything can happen in semifinal football.
CLINT GOSLING - FORMER ALL WHITE, NEWCASTLE/ALL WHITES GOALKEEPING COACH
Prediction: Phoenix 2-1 (extra time)
The Phoenix have momentum and I fancy them to win. Steve Corica is a big loss for Sydney. They have Mark Bridge back but he is not the same sort of player.
The Phoenix must ensure they are not too cautious. Sydney need to get behind the Phoenix defence and use their pace - our side is not that quick but even we caught the Phoenix out a few times last week.
Ifill and Leo Bertos cause so many problems that it will be hard for Sydney to defend them all the time.
I wonder about the effect two consecutive extra-time games will have on the Phoenix. Tim Brown, Leo Bertos, Ben Sigmund and Tony Lochhead have also been to Los Angeles for the All Whites - the Phoenix may have to manage that situation carefully.
Paul Ifill is a matchwinner and caused all sorts of problems against us. Sydney must cut off the ball supply to him, but whether they can is another matter. Tim Brown is turning up in the box at the right time - I shouldn't compare them, but he reminds me of Tim Cahill at the moment.
This will be an interesting battle between two coaches (Ricki Herbert and Vitezslav Lavicka) who don't rant and rave like the normal A-league coaches do.
This has been a great season for New Zealand football and it is mainly down to Ricki Herbert. I hope he is getting the recognition.
- NZPA
