Past experiences will aid Phoenix, says Herbert

BY FRED WOODCOCK

Ricki Herbert says the Wellington Phoenix have learnt from past failings against Sydney FC and tonight's A-League preliminary final at the Sydney Football Stadium will be anything but one-sided.

You have to walk a long way down Oxford St to find a Sydneysider who believes the Phoenix can win tonight and progress to next weekend's grand final in Melbourne, despite a five-match winning streak.

That view is based largely on the minor premiers' three-win, no-loss record against the Kiwis this season, with scores of 2-0, 3-1 and 1-0, if anything, flattering to Herbert's men.

Despite a breakthrough season and a brilliant finals run that has captured the imagination, the Phoenix have struggled to overcome Sydney's dynamic combinations up front and the league's meanest defence.

In all three matches the Phoenix did not fire a shot and allowed Sydney's playmakers – Alex Brosque and Steve Corica, in particular – too much time on the ball.

But times have changed since then, dramatically for the Phoenix, and Herbert is confident.

Corica is missing tonight through injury and the switching of Phoenix terrier Manny Muscat to the defensive midfield role, which came after their last match against Sydney in December, will make life tougher for Brosque and Mark Bridge.

Herbert is all too aware of the need to get at Sydney rather than allow themselves to be dominated, which had been the case this season.

"Sydney are a big threat going forward, especially at home," Herbert said.

"They offer a whole lot more than Newcastle, but I think if we're too much on the back foot, then we don't get the best out of the team. We've got to give our attacking players a chance."

So expect a more positive Phoenix tonight, but certainly not a throw-caution-to-the-wind approach. If they can hold Sydney as long as possible, they would back their fitness to prevail.

"If you get at them enough, you can cause them problems," Herbert said. "If you sit back too much and give them 70 per cent of the ball, then you're going to ask for trouble. But it's about finding a balance. We've just got to be careful of what they do on the break. They can expose you."

Both teams trained in the Macquarie University in north Sydney yesterday.

As expected, Socceroo Jon McKain, who returns from suspension, will start over All White Ben Sigmund at centre back in the only change.

"Jon and Andrew [Durante] have done a really good job over a period of time, but you know 100 per cent what Ben will give you."

The Phoenix remained fairly relaxed yesterday but trained well.

"It's such a big occasion, the players will be up for it," Herbert said. "It's great to be in this position."

Sydney are expected to go with the same XI that lost out to Melbourne, with right back Shannon Cole again missing with a hamstring injury.

"He's not ready so we'll keep him and hopefully he will be available for the grand final, if we make it," coach Vitezslav Lavicka said.

Sydney have lost just three out of 14 matches at home this season and are deserved favourites, though in-form striker John Aloisi acknowledged the match would be difficult.

"It's knockout, it's a different prospect. [The Phoenix] have got a good backline and they're a good side all over the pitch, but we're confident."

Not surprisingly, Sydney have identified shutting down playmaker Paul Ifill as key to victory. They want to make sure he spends as much time as possible with his back to goal, rather than running at defenders.

For the Phoenix, it's crucial they find a way to stop Brosque and Co. If they can, it's game on.

HOW THEY LINE UP

What: A-League preliminary final

Who: Sydney v Wellington

Where: Sydney Football Stadium

When: 10pm tonight (Sky Sport 2)

Sydney (likely): Clint Bolton, Sebastian Ryall, Stephan Keller, Simon Colosimo, Sung Hwan Byun, Karol Kisel, Stuart Musialik, Terry McFlynn, Mark Bridge, Alex Brosque, John Aloisi.

Substitutes: Ivan Necevski, Brendan Gan, Hayden Foxe, Antony Golec, Chris Payne.

Wellington Phoenix (likely): Liam Reddy, Troy Hearfield, Andrew Durante, Jon McKain, Tony Lochhead, Manny Muscat, Vince Lia, Tim Brown, Paul Ifill, Leo Bertos, Chris Greenacre.

Substitutes: Reece Crowther, Ben Sigmund, Daniel, Diego, Eugene Dadi.

TAB odds (to progress): Sydney $1.40, Phoenix $2.80.

- © Fairfax NZ News