Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert believes his team hold the mental edge over Sydney FC going into Saturday’s A-League preliminary final.
Despite losing all three league encounters against the Sky Blues this season, Herbert feels Sydney will be on a “downer” following their narrow defeat to rivals Melbourne in a two-legged major semi-final last weekend.
With confidence at the Phoenix sky-high following their 3-1 extra time win over Newcastle, Herbert reckons his team’s past struggles against Sydney are now in the past.
“Maybe they are a little bit on a downer, maybe they have to change what they are doing,” he said.
“They are at home and can be confident but I think it’s our time to change the outcome.
“It’s different territory now. I think there’s enough incentive for us to go across there and win but we are under no illusions what Sydney will throw at us.”
With his team in such good form, Herbert is facing some good selection headaches going into the match.
One of those is Brazilian forward Daniel, who is keen on a starting role after his eye-catching display off the bench against the Jets.
“There’s a responsibility to come on and change the game and I’m pleased with Daniel,” Herbert said.
“He’s been in a good space for a while. With the team winning, it’s been tough to start him but he’s certainly important to us.”
Whether he starts or not, the Brazilian, who has been with the Phoenix since they joined the A-League in 2007, believes they now possess the best squad in the competition.
“I think we can go to the final,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter who starts against Sydney. In my opinion, we have the best group in the league because in this match we could have a bench that includes me, Diego, (Eugene) Dadi, (Jon) McKain (back from suspension) and (Michael) Ferrante.
“Sydney are a good team with a good coach and it’s difficult for us to play away, but we have belief in ourselves.”
Young New Zealand striker Costa Barbarouses is the unlucky player to make way for returning defender McKain in the Phoenix’s matchday squad.
Herbert must decide whether to restore McKain to the starting line-up after his one-match suspension or keep Ben Sigmund as skipper Andrew Durante’s central defensive partner considering Kiwi international Sigmund struggled against Sydney striker Alex Brosque’s pace earlier this season.
katzilla
Roar Guru
What the owner needed to do was what the Warriors owner did the first time they made the finals and buy a bunch of tickets for Kiwis with NZ passports. It worked a treat last time and i'd consider going if it was free. You'd get at least 5k worth of Kiwis at the ground that way.
Football Person 2
Roar Pro
Hes having a laugh, Well won't be playing in front of 34,000 of Phoenix fans, they will be playing in front of 20,000 determined Sydney fans, about 5000 of them will be in the cove displaying a level of support that would stand its ground in countries such as Germany( if they only ditched wearing the sky blue ), and if we have learned anything from history its that Well can't win away from the cake tin. My apologies Wellington fans if my comments were a bit harsh but that's just my opinion. :)