Wellington Phoenix will kick off the 2011-12 Hyundai A-League final series at Westpac Stadium on Friday March 30.
While their opponents won-t be known till the regular season ends on Sunday, the Phoenix are guaranteed a home game as they can finish no lower than fourth spot on the table.
The game will kick off at 8pm and Phoenix head coach Ricki Herbert is forecasting a spectacular evening.
“Night games under lights are fantastic, especially when there is a big crowd,” Herbert said.
“Anyone who was at the All Whites- World Cup qualifier against Bahrain will testify to that fact, and I-m looking forward to a good turnout of fans in the finals, whoever our opponents are.
“The last time we played at home in the finals around 60,000 fans watched our matches against Perth and Newcastle and will tell you what thrillers they were.
“There is nothing quite like finals football and I can-t wait for it to start.”
Firstly however the Phoenix must finish their regular season against competition leaders Central Coast Mariners at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.
Mariners need a win to ensure they will finish top of the ladder with second-placed Brisbane Roar favourites to take three points from Gold Coast United later in the day.
While guaranteed fourth place, the Phoenix will know what they need to do to get up to third with Perth Glory playing Melbourne Victory in Perth on Saturday.
Should Perth lose, a draw against the Mariners would be enough to push the Phoenix up to third place, while a Perth draw and a Wellington win would have the same outcome.
