Soccer: Phoenix keep the fires burning

Phoenix substitute Eugene Dadi (L) celebrates his extra-time goal against the Jets yesterday. Photo / Getty Images

Leaving behind the comforts of home holds no fears for the Wellington Phoenix, whose dizzying ascent through the A-League soccer playoffs sees them cross the Tasman for the penultimate hurdle this week.

Minor premiers Sydney FC lie in wait on Saturday, buoyed no doubt by three wins from three against the New Zealand club this season but stinging that they couldn't overcome defending champions Melbourne Victory in last night's major semifinal. It means defending champions Melbourne - who won the two-leg semi 4-3 on aggregate after yesterday's 2-2 extra time draw - will host the grand final on March 20.

There they will face either a rematch with Sydney or a Phoenix side who continued their late-season surge with yesterday's 3-1 minor semifinal defeat of the Newcastle Jets in extra time at Westpac Stadium.

It was a fitting farewell to a venue that hasn't witnessed the home side beaten for nearly a year and half and which was crammed with a near sellout crowd of 32,792.

Captain Andrew Durante admitted the crowd had become a massive factor, including in the penalty shootout playoff defeat of Perth two weeks ago.

However, he believed his side had developed the sort of character and playing style to perform in foreign territory. After stuttering to countless draws earlier in their campaign, they had won two of their last four games across the ditch and were boosted by the fighting nature of their two wins in the club's first playoff campaign.

Yesterday's came despite a disrupted buildup that saw the team's four All Whites players and coach Ricki Herbert arrive back from international duty in Los Angeles barely 24 hours before kickoff.

"We look at each other and we know the person next to us is not going to let us down," Durante said.

"It's such a good camaraderie in the team. It would have been so easy for the (All Whites) boys to say `I've had a hard week, I've travelled' but they never made any excuses. They did what they had to do and it rubs off on the whole team.

"There's no reason we can't go the whole way."

Herbert lavished praise on former Newcastle star Durante, whose leadership and defensive organisation helped free up front men such as Paul Ifill, who was in spectacular form yesterday, creating countless chances and scoring the decisive goal midway through extra time to break a 1-1 deadlock.

Their opening goal was scored by tireless midfielder Tim Brown, cancelling out the opener by Newcastle captain Matthew Thompson. Substitute Eugene Dadi put the icing on the cake five minutes from the end of extra time against a Jets side weighed down by the struggles of several half-fit players.

Before learning of the major semifinal result, Herbert indicated Sydney would be his preferred opponents at the next stage.

"We've been poor against them this year, played three lost three, so maybe it's time for a change. They might be the best ones to get," he said.

"We haven't travelled that well but our form at the end of the season has been great. We've won five on the bounce and hopefully we can carry that on."

In two matches at Sydney this season, the Phoenix lost 3-1 and 2-0 while they were toppled 1-0 in the last meeting three months ago at a windswept Palmerston North.

Herbert was unsure if attacking midfielder Adrian Caceres would join the side this week. He was absent yesterday, in Argentina to be with his pregnant wife.

Jon McKain is likely to return from suspension alongside Durante in central defence but Herbert is unlikely to wield any other changes to a successful formula.

Jets coach Branko Culina wouldn't rule out a Phoenix upset on Saturday although he felt the odds were against them.

"It's a two-horse race next week so they've got a terrific chance. It would be great for New Zealand football if they can do that but it will be difficult playing away," he said.

"There's no doubt that the first and second teams have a distinct advantage."

Culina said he envied the financial backing at the Phoenix which he believed eclipsed several Australian clubs, including his own. Newcastle were unable to adequately boost their numbers when injuries and departures impacted on their campaign from mid-season.

"Six to eight weeks ago they (Phoenix) were a very good side, then who did they pick up?" Culina questioned.

"One of the best goalkeepers in Australia (Liam Reddy) and one of the best strikers in Australia (Eugene Dadi). We couldn't compete with that, we ended up going to our youth team.

"That's the difference and it told today in the end."

- NZPA