Soccer: Phoenix pulling for the Heart

Paul Ifill and Vince Lia of the Phoenix celebrate the winning goal during the A-League Elimination Final match between the Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC. Photo / Hagen Hopkins

There will be a party at Paul's place for the Wellington Phoenix tomorrow.

Phoenix striker Paul Ifill, who buried an 86th-minute penalty to send the Wellingtonians through to the second week of the A-League playoffs with a 3-2 win over Sydney FC at Westpac Stadium on Friday night, said they were desperate to play another home game this season.

For that to happen, Melbourne Heart need to beat the higher-ranked Perth Glory in Western Australia tomorrow.

Wellington (fourth) finished the regular season ahead of Melbourne (sixth), meaning the Phoenix earn the right to host the match. But Perth would host Wellington if they beat the Heart.

"I think we are going to have a Heart party on Sunday," Ifill said. "A barbecue round mine... and we can be Heart fans for the day. I hope they can do it because there's nothing better than getting a second game here.

"If it's not to be, it's not to be. In the finals you've got to go where you've got to go and, if we have to go to Perth, I don't see why we can't go there and win."

They will certainly hope history repeats. The Phoenix finished fourth in the 2009-2010 season and earned two home playoff games before they were knocked over 4-2 by Sydney in a controversial preliminary final remembered for the Hand of Payne when Sydney striker Chris Payne scored from a handball.

Friday's game wasn't short of its own drama. A mad-cap seven-minute spell saw the Phoenix go ahead 2-0 against Sydney in the 79th minute, before the visitors drew level with two quick goals from young striker Joel Chianese.

But it was Ifill who had the final say with his spot-kick that restored the Phoenix's lead.

Midfielder Leo Bertos, who delivered the pinpoint corner for Ben Sigmund to score the Phoenix's second goal, said the side wanted to send foundation player Tim Brown out with a deep run in the finals.

Brown announced last week this season would be his last in professional football before he studies for a masters degree in management at either the London School of Economics or Cambridge University.

"That's part of it," Bertos said of their motivation. "There are a number of players who are heading towards the end of their careers, too. So they might not be here after this season. Obviously Tim's one of them. We are a tight group and we would like to send everyone off on a high and hopefully it's a fairytale end."

Bertos and Brown have shared plenty of team photos together as part of the All Whites and Phoenix squads for the past few years and Bertos said he was sad to see his old mate move on.

"He's become like a brother to me. He's a close friend and it's going to be sad to see him go. I'm just going to enjoy every moment we've got left together on the field."

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