Phoenix home in on top-four place
Wellington Phoenix will be out to cement their place in the A-League’s top four when they host Western Sydney Wanderers in their first match at Westpac Stadium in 50 days.
The Phoenix overtook Melbourne City and Adelaide United by thumping Central Coast Mariners 8-2 last Saturday, and they now have an opportunity to create some breathing space if they are able to back up and beat the eighthplaced Wanderers today, after Adelaide’s 2-0 loss to Perth Glory on Friday.
‘‘We’ve worked extremely hard up until this point to get to this stage and it really is in our hands,’’ coach Mark Rudan said.
‘‘We’ve been ready all season, we prepared them right from day one in pre-season for this kind of test and I believe the players are more than up for the road ahead.
‘‘I believe there will still be twists and turns along the way but all we can do is concentrate on ourselves to give ourselves the best opportunity in every game to pick up maximum points.’’
While the Wanderers are much better than the woeful Mariners and come into today’s match riding a four-game unbeaten streak, Rudan said last week’s 8-2 demolition has given his team a massive confidence boost in their charge towards a home playoff.
‘‘There are three things that are very important to any football club and that’s confidence, belief and momentum and we’ve got all those three after a performance like that. There’s a spring in their step in training, the boys are in a good mood and they love coming out here, and that’s the positive about that kind of result.
‘‘It’s never easy to score eight goals in a game, particularly against 11 men and without two mainstays in Alex Rufer and Steven Taylor. But now the young boys are getting their opportunities and they are challenging as well.’’
The suspension to Sarpreet Singh will be offset by Rufer’s return and should see Max Burgess retain his place in the starting XI.
Rufer will likely slot in next to Mandi in central midfield with Burgess pushing forward to fill the void created by Singh’s absence.
Steven Taylor remains in doubt for today’s match. The defender has not played since injuring his calf against Melbourne Victory last month.