Despite last weekend’s crushing extra-time loss to Melbourne, confidence is still sky high around Sydney FC as they prepare for Saturday’s A-League grand final qualifier against Wellington.

Sydney only switched off for one moment against the Victory, but it was enough for wily veterans Kevin Muscat and Archie Thompson to produce the goal that would ensure the sky blues did not get a home grand final.

The harbour city club gets another chance courtesy of their minor premiership, hosting red-hot Wellington in a preliminary final for another crack at Melbourne at Etihad Stadium the following weekend.

Devastated at their missed opportunity following the game, the Sydney FC players were given Tuesday off and are now fully focused on the Phoenix.

“It’s done. It was a great game to play in, it was 90 minutes plus another 30, there was everything in it, we came from behind but it wasn’t quite enough,” Sydney defender Simon Colosimo told AAP.

“Then Muscy’s smarts along with Archie, they did us in in that split second, but we all know we’re a good team and we matched each other.

“There’s no doubt we were disappointed we couldn’t have a home grand final.

“But if we can get over the line on Saturday, which I’m confident we can, all our supporters can travel down to Melbourne and have a good night of it there.”

Bookmakers are expecting a Sydney victory, with the sky blues at short odds across the board to beat Wellington.

But Sydney know they can’t afford to look past the Phoenix.

Wellington have eliminated Perth and Newcastle during the playoffs and are in the midst of a five-match unbeaten run, during which they have scored nine goals and conceded just two.

Colosimo says Sydney have plenty of respect for the Kiwi club, singling out defenders Andrew Durante and Jon McKain for praise, while striker Paul Ifill has scored four goals in his past four games.

“They’ve got some very dangerous individuals,” Colosimo said.

“They’re very well organised with a good friend of mine Durante at the back and Jon McKain also, but they’ve got weaknesses like every team has.

“We’ll try to exploit them and if we can that should get us the result.”

Rather than be caught up in the emotion and pressure of finals football, Sydney FC are instead trying to enjoy it, particularly after missing the playoffs for the first time last year.

“The important thing is to go out on Saturday with loads of confidence,” Colosimo said.

“Probably from five games out from the end of the season, one of the big things we’ve said is to go out and enjoy it.

“It’s a good time of year, we’ve been trying to enjoy ourselves and we’ll try to do the same thing on Saturday.

“We have to do our jobs, but we should enjoy the night.

“It doesn’t come all the time that we get to play finals football and the boys are going to go out there and enjoy themselves.”

© AAP 2012

Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.