Phoenix seek hat-trick of wins against glamour boys

Sydney FC may be unbeaten on the road in the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season to date but on Saturday night they face a Wellington Phoenix outfit that has had the wood on the Aussie glamour boys in their past two matches.



The Phoenix return home to Westpac Stadium fired up for a big performance after a tough, three-match road trip across the Tasman. It’s a welcome return to the capital for the Phoenix and comes at a crucial time as they look to reignite their season and stay in touch with the league leaders.



Sydney FC come to Wellington as the only team in the competition unbeaten on the road. But the Sydneysiders have a poor record against the Phoenix, having lost the past two encounters – 3-0 in their Pre-Season Cup match in Wellington and 2-1 in their Hyundai A-League 2007/08 round four match in Sydney.



“We’ve had the wood on them in the past and that’s something we want to maintain on Saturday night and make it a hat-trick of victories,” said assistant coach Wayne O’Sullivan. “Sydney’s fortunes have really turned around and they’re unbeaten under their new coach, John Kosmina. It’s a tough homecoming for us and we’re under no illusions about how challenging this match will be, but we’re extremely confident.”



The task has been made even tougher for the Phoenix with the loss of key personnel on international duty. Jeremy Christie, Tony Lochhead, Tim Brown, Shane Smeltz, Mark Paston and Jacob Spoonley are with the All Whites for their World Cup qualifying match against Vanuatu in Port Vila. Phoenix head coach Ricki Herbert is in charge of the national team and will also miss Saturday’s match.



There are also injury concerns about Phoenix midfielders Richard Johnson and Daniel. Both are carrying niggling injuries and will undergo fitness tests on Saturday morning before a final decision is made on whether they will be available for selection.



While Sydney FC have a raft of stars to call on – including Brazilian ace Juninho – they also have their share of personnel problems, having lost linchpin midfielder Steve Corica to injury and Mark Milligan and Ruben Zadkovich to international duty.



Although the Phoenix have brought in replacement defender Kristian Rees and goalkeeper Stuart Webster to help fill the gaps, the showdown against Sydney FC will be a real test of the squad’s depth. O’Sullivan had no doubt that the Phoenix had the talent to rise to the occasion.



“It’s a real opportunity for some of those players who have been on the fringe to advance their cases,” he said. “Every club has to cope with the loss of personnel when internationals roll around and we’re no different. It’s something we’ve prepared for and, if anything, I think it’s really exciting opportunity. There’s no doubt the pressure is on and everyone will have to perform, but they’ve prepared beautifully this week and we’ve got a team that we’re really happy with and confident in.”



The Phoenix have been bolstered by the return of inspirational captain Ross Aloisi from a back injury for Saturday night’s match, while new signing Rees will slot straight into the starting lineup.



O’Sullivan said he had no qualms about pitching former Adelaide United defender Rees straight into the action at Westpac Stadium.



“Kristian’s trained well, looks sharp and has fitted into the team structure extremely quickly. He’s an experienced guy who will certainly bring some organisation and solidity at the back.”



Saturday night’s match kicks off at 7pm and will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 3.



Wellington Phoenix squad: 5. Karl DODD, 7. Ross ALOISI (captain), 8. Vaughan COVENY, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 12. Richard JOHNSON, 13. Steven OLD, 14. Steven O'DOR, 16. Kristian REES, 17. Vince LIA, 19. Greg DRAPER, 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 21. FELIPE, 22. Royce BROWNLIE, 23. Costa BARBAROUSES, 70. Stuart WEBSTER (gk). *one to be omitted.



Sydney FC squad: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Iain FYFE, 3. Nikolas TSATTALIOS, 4. Mark RUDAN, 6. Tony POPOVIC (captain), 7. Robbie MIDDLEBY, 9. David ZDRILIC, 11. Brendon SANTALAB, 13. Ben VIDAIC, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Adam BIDDLE, 22. JUNINHO, 23. Ufuk TALAY, 28. Michael BRIDGES.