Phoenix boss seeks fan-tastic support
A “massive” Wellington crowd could be the key to the Wellington Phoenix’s pursuit of a place in the A-league final.
The side missed out on claiming the Premiers Plate in the men’s competition when defending champions Central Coast Mariners defeated Adelaide United 2-0 in Gosford on Wednesday night.
That clinched top spot for the Mariners, and the right to host the grand final, should they win their two-leg semifinal against the lowest-placed winner from this weekend’s elimination finals.
But the Phoenix, who finished second just two points behind the Mariners after their best regular-season in the club’s 17-year history, earned the advantage of having this weekend off before the semifinals.
They will also get to play the second leg of that semifinal at home at Sky Stadium on Saturday, May 18 (6.30pm kickoff), against either Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC or Macarthur.
Wellington Phoenix general manager David Dome believes a crowd of more than 25,000 would be an appropriate turnout for the semifinal second leg.
“We will know exactly what we need to do going into that game, and a massive Wellington crowd could be a huge difference for that team to get across the line, and into the grand final,” Dome said.
“If we don’t get north of 25,000, I think that’d be disappointing for the team, given how well they’ve played. It’s one game away from a grand final.”
The Phoenix would get to host the grand final should the Mariners be beaten in the semifinals and Wellington win their twoleg clash. The club had an average home crowd of almost 9000 this season – their best average since 2009-10.
“It’s been up and down,” Dome said of home attendances. “We’ve had some cracking games – last weekend [15,428] was excellent, a good one on Waitangi Day as well, and at the start of the New Year – but we’ve had average crowds as well.
“With a knockout game, you very much are looking at the casual sports attendee, and the event attendee, coming along to these games to be part of something very special.”
Tickets for the semifinal second leg went on sale at 1pm yesterday via Ticketek, with three pricing categories, plus two bays dedicated to the Yellow Fever fan club and one family bay.
Adult, children, concession (senior and community service card holders) and family ticket prices will be available. Child pricing starts from $27.60, with adult pricing from $37.85 up to $60. Family pricing (2 adults, 2 children or 1 adult, 3 children) starts from $74. *