Is Wellington Phoenix the real deal?

 

Roar Guru

By Robbie Di Fabio, 3 Feb 2012 Robbie Di Fabio is a Roar Guru

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 A-League, football, Wellington Phoenix

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After commencing the season in underwhelming fashion – uncharacteristically struggling on home soil, dwindling near the foot of the table – the Phoenix have hit a striking vein of form, claiming 15 points from their last seven outings.

The ‘Nix are notably on a three-game winning streak, including two 1-0 triumphs over Gold Coast and Newcastle across the Tasman.

Last week’s commanding 3-1 victory over Melbourne Heart illustrated its credentials in this season’s A-League title race – supplanting Brisbane Roar into second position on the table.

There’s no doubt that, when on song this team is capable of causing a few headaches for their opposition, particularly when it plays host at Westpac Stadium – Wellington’s fortress “the Caketin”, in tandem with Perth Glory’s nib Stadium are considered as arguably the most difficult places to travel, given their outlying locations.

With a crop of rivals breathing down the Phoenix’s neck, amid a mere six points separating second from sixth on the table, a top-two finish appears to be imperative to the club’s title aspirations. If the Nix could secure a double-chance come the A-League finals series, then it would certainly be optimistic of reaching its first finale, after astonishingly falling short at the last hurdle in 2009-10 campaign –controversially losing to Sydney FC in the preliminary final, when the Sky Blues took advantage of a refereeing blunder which saw the two-time A-League champions score the winning goal from a handball.

The Phoenix’s primary objective will be to finish in the top-four, in order to secure a home final, although anything is possible with eight games remaining. Talismanic striker Paul Ifill holds the key to the Kiwi’s success.

If the English-born Barbados international can continue his goalscoring touch, then the reverie of a Grand Final berth could well come into fruition.

Melbourne derby offers opportunity for redemption:

The derby couldn’t have come at a better time for Heart and Victory, both of whom are encompassing a lean patch of form, symbolising outfits anchored near the bottom of the ladder – in the latter’s case, it is apparent.

The red and whites definitely appear to be a shadow of their former self, winless in its last six matches, only accumulating a meagre two points in the process. John van’t Schip’s troops aren’t illustrating the type of form which had his side described as a threat for the season’s championship. Before Heart’s tenuous run of form, it was playing an awe-inspiring brand of football which saw it take the league by storm.

In December, Heart triumphed in all five of its A-League fixtures, handed a pre-Christmas bequest, prevailing over cross-town rival Victory 3-2 in an entertaining affair and importantly, the evening was a fantastic endorsement for the competition. Reaching the dizzy heights of second on the table, it has faltered dramatically in the New Year, yet to win a solitary game, searching for answers in the absence of midfield orchestrator and club captain Fred.

With an arduous assignment forthcoming to finish in the top-six, the task won’t get any easier with Mate Dugandzic, Aziz Behich and Jason Hoffman selected for the upcoming Olympic qualifiers, ruling them out of Heart’s approaching fixtures. The club’s stocks will be wholeheartedly tested, as van’t Schip searches for solutions, with the Dutchman eyeing a play-off spot for the first time in the club’s short history.

Meanwhile, Victory’s season is slowly fading into the wilderness, surrendering an advantage on Australia Day against fierce rival Sydney FC, to ultimately finish with another frustrating result. Victory boss Jim Magilton has reason to feel aggrieved, after his side yielded a two-goal cushion at the interval.

If that wasn’t a bitter pill to swallow, the navy blues had a sense of déjà vu against Gold Coast United in Wednesday night’s community game in Launceston. Socceroos star Harry Kewell put Victory ahead through a scintillating free kick midway through the second period, before a late sucker punch strike from Gold Coast captain Michael Thwaite – the 28-year-olds first goal in a 10-year professional career – secured a share of the spoils in stoppage time.

Remarkably, it was the eighth time in 19 games this campaign that Victory had relinquished a lead, to unsuccessfully come away with the three points. For an onlooker’s perspective, it appears that this trend is having a psychological effect on the players – unable to demonstrate the character or temperament to hold on to leads, or scrap their way to “ugly” victories.

It’s certainly an issue which needs addressing – an area where Victory has truly let themselves down – and we cannot help but think the absence of former captain and inspirational leader Kevin Muscat is a void yet to be replaced.

His predecessor, Adrian Leijer, 25, is perceived as a long-term replacement. Despite a lapse in form recently, the ex-Fulham defender acquires the passion, personality, and media nous to be a success.

Leijer, in conjunction with his senior counterparts – Archie Thompson, Kewell, Carlos Hernandez and Ante Covic – need to hit full throttle if this Victory unit is to achieve any of its goals this term.

In spite of Heart and Victory’s current rut, the third and final derby is anticipated to be a full-house with an electric atmosphere. The enmity is growing between these two modern rivals, with the losing side potentially having enormous ramifications. The scene is set for an enthralling contest, with drama-filled action engulfed throughout the 90-minute tussle.

Courtesy of Goal Weekly. Follow Robbie on Twitter @RobertDiFabio

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