Hyundai A-League Football returns to Auckland on 1 February with the Phoenix welcoming Adelaide United to Eden Park in the trans-Tasman competition’s round 17 clash.
Hyundai A-League Football returns to Auckland on 1 February with the Phoenix welcoming Adelaide United to Eden Park in the trans-Tasman competition-s round 17 clash.
The Phoenix head north with high confidence after a string of unbeaten matches, highlighted by a 5-0 thrashing of competition heavy weights the Melbourne Victory. The club-s five match unbeaten run was cut short on Saturday night by ladder toppers Brisbane Roar in an exciting show of dominance before succumbing to the leaders in the second half.
Adelaide head across the Tasman as the other form team of the competition of late. With the ladder tight heading into the business end of the season, the three points given for winning the match will go a long way towards closing the four point gap between Adelaide in sixth place and the Phoenix in ninth place.
This Wednesday the thrills of the team-s attacking football heads north to acclimatise for a few days before a match that promises plenty of dramatic style.
Ahead of Saturday-s game, the team heads out and about around Auckland, giving local fans plenty of opportunities to meet their heroes. Head along to the recovery swim at Mission Bay on Wednesday, the Huawei Heroes Portable Pitch in Aotea Square on Thursday or an Open Training session at North Harbour Stadium or Eden Park.
On Friday, the Club-s official charity Surf Life Saving NZ-s summer appeal* will take centre stage, highlighted by a competition to kick for prizes into a floating football goal in Auckland-s Viaduct.
Ticket sales for Saturday-s match are steady and supporters are encouraged to take advantage of some great pre-buy incentives to avoid issues with a late arriving crowd that occurred two years ago. All tickets include complementary public transport to and from Eden Park and ticket prices are cheaper when you purchase before arriving at the venue.
Saturday also sees the inaugural Celebrity Curtain Raiser kicking off at 5.45pm on Eden Park. With team captains Noah Hickey and Danny Hay, there promises to be no shortage of competition between the teams including sportsmen Dean Barker, Dion Nash, Tea Ropati, and Harry Ngata, and TV personalities Andrew Gourdie, James McOnie, Andrew Mulligan and Guy Williams.
The main game kicks off at 7.30pm.
Further information and tickets at www.prod.wellingtonphoenix.aleagues.com.au.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Wednesday 29 January
3.00pm – Recovery Swim @ Mission Bay
Thursday 30 January
10.00am – OPEN TRAINING session @ North Harbour Stadium, Albany.
2.00pm – Community Sessions around Auckland: Wendy’s Supa Sundaes @ Sylvia Park Mall, Waiheke FC, Eastern Suburbs FC, Drury FC.
5.00pm – Huawei Portable Pitch @ Aotea Square. Come along for a kick around and to meet some of our Celebs as they get their kit for the Curtain Raiser game!
Friday 31 January
10.00am – OPEN TRAINING session @ Eden Park. It’s the final session before the game!
12pm – Surf Life Saving Floating Goal, Karanga Plaza, Wynyard Quarter (by the tidal stairs). Kick for Nix promotion takes place from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.
Saturday 1 February
5.45pm – Celebrity Curtain Raiser kick off @ Eden Park.
7.30pm – Phoenix v Adelaide United kick off @ Eden Park
*As a charity organisation, Surf Life Saving relies on the public-s support to fund this essential rescue service to save more lives on our beaches this summer. Please give generously when you see the street collectors out on Friday or alternatively you can text the word ‘SURF- to 933 to make an automatic $3 donation.
