Phoenix hope to be back with a hiss and a roar

LET’S hope the third match the second.

The Phoenix’s season has so far come in two distinct parts: the first featured the Football United Tour, against English clubs West Ham and Newcastle. That was July, with the Phoenix having to wait till October to play some games that actually counted for anything.

By the end of 2014 they were second in the A-League and in irresistible form. But, after a month off, the Phoenix start tonight’s clash with defending champions Brisbane sitting fourth on the table and probably a bit unsure of what sort of football to expect from themselves at Suncorp Stadium, as they complete the split round 15.

They flew to Brisbane last night, planning to have a meal, hit the hay and hope Nathan Burns was floating around somewhere.

The A-League’s top-scorer this season, Burns was part of Australia’s Asian Cup-winning squad and expected to be a little worse for wear by the time he arrived in Brisbane to re-unite with the Phoenix. Assuming Burns is in reasonable shape, he’ll also resume his strike partnership with Roy Krishna.

The Fiji international is back to full fitness following a minor hamstring tear and expected to start against the Roar. There’s also hope that fullback Manny Muscat will be in the run-on side too, after rolling an ankle at training last week.

The overall mood within the Phoenix is one of anticipation. Coach Ernie Merrick insisted the mid-season break wouldn’t halt the run the Phoenix were making towards the playoffs.

The players have expressed greater disappointment at seeing their momentum halted by the Asian Cup but a confidence that their football will be of the same quality it was a month ago.

act

can Brisbane were their last opponents, beaten 3-0 at Westpac Stadium on the back of a goal from Muscat and a brace from the nowdeparted Jeremy Brockie.

Having Krishna and Burns back make the Phoenix a better team this time, at least on paper. But Brisbane are in that bracket too, with playmaker Thomas Broich and goalkeeper Michael Theo both over injuries and former Werder Bremen and German age-group international defender Jerome Polenz signed during the January transfer window.

Phoenix captain Andrew Durante is undeterred, though. His simple message to the players is that if they play to their potential, then they’ll beat Brisbane regardless of who’s in their lineup.