Premiers Plate on its way to Wellington for Phoenix decider
Wellington Phoenix will get to celebrate with the Premiers Plate if they secure a top of the table finish on Saturday.
The prize for the winner of the A-League Men premiership is being sent to Wellington ahead of their final-round match against Macarthur in preparation for a possible trophy presentation.
The Phoenix have never finished top of the table in their previous 16 seasons in the A-League but they are on the cusp of creating history this year.
They hold a one-point lead heading into their final game of the regular season after a dramatic 1-1 draw with Newcastle Jets last Friday took them to 50 points – their highest points total.
Title rivals Central Coast Mariners still have a game in hand, against Adelaide United, rescheduled for next Wednesday, which could yet decide the premiership.
There is only one scenario where the Phoenix can wrap up top spot this Saturday. They must beat Macarthur and Central Coast must lose to Newcastle Jets.
The two matches are scheduled to kick off simultaneously at 7.15pm on Saturday.
The Mariners will win the Premiers Plate if the Phoenix lose to Macarthur and they win or draw against the Jets in Newcastle.
If any other combination of results were to occur, the premiership would be decided when Central Coast play Adelaide in the final game of the season.
Next Wednesday’s match was originally scheduled to be played last Sunday but it had to be rescheduled after Central Coast were left stranded in Kyrgyzstan following a midweek AFC Cup match because of flooding at Dubai airport.
Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano has overseen the club’s best-ever season.
He told Stuff last week that he did not want to know the score of the Central Coast game and instead would rely on the reaction of the fans to keep him informed.
“The focus is on the game but I think the crowd will give us an indication of what’s going on in the other game,” Italiano said.
“If they’re cheering and it’s 0-0 it gives us an idea the Mariners are down, but I don’t want to know what the score is, especially we’re losing, it doesn’t really matter.
“If we can get the result and play well then we allow the football gods to dictate what happens but if we’re worried about the Mariners result and it’s on the big screen then I don’t think anyone is going to play well.”
The Phoenix have beaten Macarthur twice already this season, registering 3-0 and 2-1 wins in Campbelltown. Phoenix striker Kosta Barbarouses helped himself to a brace in each fixture.
If the Mariners seal top spot on Saturday, they will be presented with the Premiers Plate when they play Adelaide in Gosford four days later.
The Phoenix’s previous highest finish was third in 2019-20.
By finishing in the top two they have guaranteed themselves a bye in the first week of the finals series.