Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners
Sunday 22nd August 3:00pm
Westpac Stadium
We Are The Phoenix! Get ready to catch a dose of Yellow Fever as the Mariners roll into town looking for another away win. Will it rain goals again at Westpac Stadium?…
…Everyone knows the Hyundai A-League boasts the best fans around, but even taking these high standards into consideration, the 8398 hardy supporters who braved horrendous weather at Westpac Stadium last week deserve applause for creating such a great atmosphere in spite of the farcical conditions.
Hopefully their clothes will have dried out by now because Phoenix will be looking for similarly exceptional support from their loyal fans as they face a really tough test on Sunday. This time, it-s not the conditions they are up against, but a Central Coast Mariners side that has already picked up a win on the road, beating Melbourne Heart 1-0 in the first game of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season.
This intriguing match-up sees Phoenix, unbeaten in 20 games at the Westpac Stadium, take on the only side to have picked up an away win in the first two weeks of the season. How will free-scoring Phoenix – for whom Englishmen Paul Ifill and Chris Greenacre netted the side-s three goals in their only game so far this season – fare against the solid defence of the Mariners?
Having conceded just once in the opening two games, Mariners are a tough nut to crack, but, for a confidence booster, Phoenix fans need only look back to last season‘s results. In their last meeting in Wellington in February, Paul Ifill-s brace helped them to a comfortable 3-0 win. It completed a clean sweep of victories and clean sheets against Mariners in the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season.
Last season-s results will mean nothing come 3pm on Sunday though and Mariners- striker Adam Kwasnik will be looking to celebrate making his 100th Hyundai A-League appearance with a goal. Of his 99 games so far, 87 have been in Central Coast colours, while the other 12 were for Wellington Phoenix.
Having picked up their first victory on the road since November 2009 a fortnight ago, can Mariners make it two away wins out of two, or will Phoenix-s brilliant home form continue? Get along to the Westpac Stadium and find out!
Full squad information and match details will be available at www.a-league.com.au on Thursday.
