Shackling Shane's a priority for fired-up Phoenix

IF THE Wellington Phoenix want a home playoff then the equation is simple. Beat Gold Coast United tonight.

But against a tough Gold Coast side carrying home turf advantage, it's a task easier said than done.

The Phoenix have only won two away games all season, both against opposition who sit below them on the table. Making matters worse high-flyers Gold Coast also have a lot to play for, needing a win to maintain their assault on the minor premiership. The Queenslanders wil join Melbourne Victory at the top of the league if they win.

In the Phoenix's favour is the famous 6-0 drubbing they brutally dealt to Gold Coast last time the sides met. That might give a slight mental edge to but it would be unwise to think of Gold Coast as fragile. They're unbeaten in their last seven outings, impressively winning five of those. The 6-0 hiding at Westpac Stadium back in October can only be described as a hiccup for the Gold Coast this season, and in particular their All Whites striker Shane Smeltz, who was unusually quiet that day.

Smeltz is undoubtedly looking to make a statement against his former club – not that he has anything to prove.

He has shown time and again that he is the premier talisman in the league, comfortably sitting at the top of the goal scoring charts for the second consecutive year. But with the World Cup only months away I would suspect that he will want to confirm to Ricki Herbert he is the best striker our country has.

With Chris Killen, Rory Fallon and young Chris Wood, Herbert does have some fire power at his disposal for the national side and Smeltz will be aware of that. He will be desperate to cement his place in the starting eleven for the first game against Slovakia in Rustenburg on June 15. Today's game against Herbert's Phoenix outfit is the perfect forum for him to do just that.

While the Gold Coast have threats all over the pitch, it is essential from a Phoenix standpoint that they nullify the service to Smeltz. That means closing down Australian international Jason Culina and the in-form Zenon Caravella in the middle of the park.

I believe it's a job tailored to the likes of Tim Brown and Manny Muscat, should he start in a central midfield role.

All the ingredients are there for the Phoenix to do well in this fixture. With any luck Ivorian striker Eugene Dadi will be passed fit to play. His combination with Chris Greenacre will once again give the ever-dangerous Paul Ifill more freedom to create havoc out wide.

If Ifill is given time and space then he has the ability to destroy the Gold Coast defence, that on occasion, can be found wanting.

It's critical the Phoenix start brightly and put the home side on the back foot. Maybe just then some of the nagging doubts that will be lingering from the last time the sides met might come home to roost.

Danny Hay is a former All White.

- © Fairfax NZ News