Bertos confident of making playoffs

MAARTEN HOLL/The Dominion Post

PLAYOFF PAYOFF: Phoenix midfielder Leo Bertos is keen to push on and consolidate the team's top-six place and secure a first-ever playoffs appearance.

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Wellington Phoenix midfielder Leo Bertos is boldly predicting a breakthrough A-League playoffs appearance for his side this season.

Bertos believes the Phoenix can maintain their purple patch against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow, and in doing so consolidate their position in the top six.

Having lost only one of their past 11 games and having buried their travel demons last Sunday with a 1-0 win over Newcastle, it is easy to see why one of Wellington's most popular sporting figures is feeling so good approaching the round 16 game.

"This is probably, results wise, the best year I've had in my career," Bertos said. "It would be nice to cap it off by at least getting into the finals this year. We've always known that we've got a good team, but we had to prove it to ourselves, and now we've got a couple of wins and a couple of good results, the confidence is there."

Bertos says his team-mates can handle the stifling heat. Last week in Newcastle the thermometer soared to 40 degrees celsius, and Bertos expects warm temperatures tomorrow.

"Luckily for us we managed to score early and that lifted us. It gave everyone a buzz and we were able to carry it on for the whole game."

Another challenge will be resisting inevitable tiredness as the gradual process of settling back from the highs of the World Cup qualifier continues.

Last week's performance added fresh assurance that the team's mental preparation is on track.

The Phoenix's All Whites – Tony Lochhead, Ben Sigmund, Tim Brown and Bertos – need to rally again.

"We didn't have much time to think about what we did, and the All Whites had to immediately focus on the next task. It's been the same way since," Bertos said.

A match-winning performance is becoming an expected outcome for striker Paul Ifill, who has scored in each of the Phoenix's past three matches. Bertos says Ifill has found his feet in the capital and "is feeling the the best he has been for a long time".

In August, when the two sides last met in round three, the result was a 1-1 draw in Brisbane.

Eighth-placed Brisbane in their past five matches have won only one game, lost three and drawn one.

Their first-choice goalkeeper Liam Reddy returns from injury, while midfielder Massimo Murdocca, winger Michael Zullo and Bob Malcolm come into the squad. Midfielder Henrique is out because of suspension for a deliberate hand ball in their 1-0 loss to Melbourne last Saturday.

For the Phoenix, in-form keeper Mark Paston has a thigh injury and Reece Crowther will start in goal. Paston suffered a corked thigh after colliding with captain Andrew Durante during a training session on Wednesday.

How They Line Up

What: Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane
Where and when: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, tomorrow
Kickoff: 9pm
Referee: Peter Green
TV: Sky Sport 1, 9pm
TAB odds: Phoenix $3.00, Brisbane $2.20, draw $3.20

Wellington Phoenix (from): Reece Crowther, Manny Muscat, Tony Lochhead, Tim Brown, Leo Bertos, Paul Ifill, Chris Greenacre, Daniel, Troy Hearfield, Adrian Caceres, Vince Lia, Ben Sigmund, Marco Rojas, Andrew Durante (c), Costa Barbarouses, Jonathan Gould.

Brisbane Roar (from): Liam Reddy, Andrew Packer, Craig Moore (c), Luke Devere, Josh McCloughan, Michael Zullo, David Dodd, Massimo Murdocca, Sergio Van Dijk, Charlie Miller, Reinaldo, Matt Mckay, Bob Malcolm, Mitch Nichols, Danny Tiatto, Isaka Cernak, Griffin McMaster, Tommy Oar, Ivan Franjic.

- © Fairfax NZ News