Soccer: Phoenix wary of wounded Roar

Leo Bertos. Photo / Getty Images

There may never be a better time to host the Brisbane Roar, but the Wellington Phoenix aren't talking up their chances of knocking off the league leaders this week.

Brisbane, who seemed invincible only a few weeks ago, have lost two games in a row and have been without their midfield linchpin Thomas Broich, who has been sidelined with a heel complaint.

It remains unclear as to whether Broich will return to meet the Phoenix in Dunedin on Wednesday, but the signs are still positive for the Wellingtonians.

Fresh off a fighting 1-0 win over the Perth Glory at Westpac Stadium on Saturday they will be full of self-belief, considering they managed to hold Brisbane to a 1-all draw at Suncorp Stadium last month.

Phoenix winger Leo Bertos, who delivered the corner that Ben Sigmund headed home to claim the victory over Perth, said the side had taken plenty of confidence from the weekend.

"It was a pretty tough game," he said. "We didn't play as well as we have done all season, I don't think. But that didn't seem to matter, we just needed to win and it's pretty important. You don't want to lose touch with everyone in the league and it's a tough week ahead, another two games. So it was a good three points leading in to that."

After meeting the Roar on Wednesday, the Phoenix play Melbourne Victory in Australia on Sunday and, despite their recent form slide, Bertos said Brisbane were always a tough side to play.

"They're a class act. They're a team that even though they might have lost two games on the bounce, they're still, I think, the best team in the league. It's going to be a really, really tough game for us. I guess we've just got to have a good game plan, stick to it and hopefully try and wear them down, and it'd be nice to pinch one early and see what happens."

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert echoed Bertos' thoughts.

"It's always hard. It's interesting that they've had a little bit of a bump too and maybe with a key player out. I think that just signals we all struggle a little bit if you don't have your key players and we experienced that for probably half a dozen weeks," Herbert said.

"But they'll be difficult where ever. They're a very good side. They've done extremely well and a couple of losses shouldn't stop them from being very strong and heading to win it again this year. It's a big challenge for us, but it's a good challenge and we look forward to it now."

The Phoenix will have to reshuffle their back four to meet Brisbane, after left-sided defender Tony Lochhead was ruled out with a groin complaint.

The All Whites defender was replaced late in the game against Perth and will undergo a scan this week.

Manny Muscat may move across to left back, with Vince Lia dropping to the right side of defence, or young Australians Nikolas Tsattalios and Brent Griffiths shape as the other options.

The injury is a disappointing blow for Herbert as his back four kept a clean sheet during the weekend and have looked tough to break down this season.

The Phoenix will also be without striker Mirjan Pavlovic for the trip south, who was sent off late in the game against Perth for a cynical foul.

Herbert had suggested after the game that the club would appeal the card and the one-match ban that comes with the dismissal but they elected not to.