Soccer: Phoenix get chance to end Adelaide's record attempt

Chris Greenacre of the Phoenix celebrates his goal. Photo / Getty Images

Ricki Herbert's Wellington Phoenix have helped themselves to one A-League record and now they have the chance to stop Adelaide United claiming another.

The Phoenix, with the record of 24 matches unbeaten at one venue, fly out to Adelaide tomorrow for Friday night's square-off with the unbeaten Hyundai A-League leaders with the home side seeking to record their 13th straight game without defeat.

The uninspiring scoreless draw with Gold Coast United allowed Adelaide to stretch their unbeaten run to 12 matches and equal the record set by Central Coast Mariners in 2005-06.

But the result at Skilled Park, in front of another pathetic crowd (2389), could have been different had the officials spotted a Sergio Van Dijk handball in front of goal in the 83rd minute. The offender leaked a smile when he saw the replays.

In a match devoid of highlights, the blunder was always going to be the talking point. Gold Coast captain Jason Culina was adamant that Van Dijk handballed, but his coach Miron Bleiberg was willing to forgive the officials.

"It hit an arm for sure, but it is over now. What can you do?" Culina said. "The referee made a mistake - I'm not afraid to say it - but to justify it, when I saw it the second time I thought it might have been Joel Porter's hand, maybe the referee thought the same."

Adelaide ended the weekend six points clear of Brisbane Roar - who also dropped points in being held 1-1 at home by Newcastle Jets - with Central Coast another point away but with two games in hand over the league's only unbeaten team.

Adelaide had almost double the number of shots on goal as Gold Coast but of 17 attempts only three were on target.

The Roar were left lamenting plenty of missed chances at Suncorp. They had a 27-4 advantage in scoring attempts - 14-2 on target - led the corner count 13-1 and had 60 per cent of possession yet had only Reinaldo's 78th minute goal to show for their endeavours. They also gifted the Jets their only goal with a 19th minute own goal.

There was plenty of goalmouth action at Etihad Stadium as Melbourne Victory won the battle of the big boys 3-0 over Sydney FC. The visitors led the scoring attempts 20-19 but had only six on target.

Perth's drop-off in form continued at Dairy Farmers Stadium where they lost 2-1 to North Queensland Fury in a keenly-fought contest in which Robbie Fowler did not line-up against his old Fury teammates.