Phoenix ready for Sydney FC attack
It can be easy to get away with scorelines.
On the face of it, Sydney FC’s 4-0 wins over Western Sydney Wanderers and Central Coast Mariners to start the season show potency in attack.
They looked slick going forward in those games, but the Wanderers defence was shambolic, while the Mariners handed Sydney their last two goals on a platter with a soft penalty and a goalkeeping error.
While it will be a difficult task for the Wellington Phoenix to stop Sydney at Westpac Stadium tomorrow, they have a defence more capable of doing so, especially with first-choice left back Tom Doyle ready to start.
Phoenix captain and centreback Andrew Durante said his side welcomed the challenge Sydney posed.
‘‘It’s going to be a big test, but it will be good. They’ve recruited really well and got some really good signings.
‘‘We’ve got to keep prepping how we have all pre-season. The focus has been on closing the distances from the backline to the front and giving opposition teams as little chances as possible.
The Phoenix are the opposite in front of goal, failing to find the back of the net in their two losses to start the season.
Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick said Sydney were the carried ideal team for his side to try and break their goal drought against.
‘‘I would rather play a team like that, that is more open type play, than a defensive counter attacking team. We’ll be up for the challenge.’’
A trip to Westpac Stadium holds no fears for Sydney coach Graham Arnold.
He has tasted defeat in Wellington only once in his managerial career, back in 2010 with the Mariners, and his two seasons as Sydney coach have yielded two wins and a draw in New Zealand’s capital.
‘‘Every time I’ve experienced going to Wellington [with Sydney FC], we’ve never lost. It’s an easy trip, it’s a good trip. You know you’re not going to play in hot conditions, the conditions are cooler, you’re playing in a fantastic stadium – one of the best in the A-League because the surface is always good.’’
One player Sydney will not have to contend with is Alex Rodriguez, with Merrick replacing the midfielder in the matchday squad with Matthew Ridenton. The Spaniard has been struggling with niggles, but would have been fit enough for a place on the bench if his form warranted it.
Merrick said the battle for places in the matchday squad was good for the team.
‘‘The fighting to get on the bench is exactly the way it should be. The competition for bench spots, as you saw from the vigorous training session, is there, that’s a great position for a coach to be in, to have quality players on the bench. There will be good players not even getting on the bench this weekend that’s such a bonus for us.’’