Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Heart will kick-off the Sunday fixtures when they meet at Westpac Stadium. You can follow all the action here from 3:00pm (AEDT).
You would not have predicted this two months ago, but this is a clash between two form teams. Wellington are now right in the mix for a finals berth; Melbourne Heart have been unbeaten for the past month after collecting ten points from a potential twelve.
A ‘back to the future’ approach through the return of John v’ant Schip and, albeit to a lesser extent, Ernie Merrick has done both clubs wonders.
Wellington will welcome back to the squad both Kenny Cunningham and Michael Boxall from suspension, while no players have been omitted yet. However, the news that form midfielder Albert Riera will potentially miss the rest of the season through an adductor/lower abdomen is a big blow.
The Heart will have Orlando Engelaar back after suspension today, while v’ant Schip has recalled the underachieving Michael Mifsud. Two will be omitted from the travelling squad on match-day.
Van’t Schip has the Heart humming after a torrid early season, giving the squad a new-found confidence and fresh air.
Merrick has bucked the A-League trend and has the ‘Nix playing a more narrow style of football, going right up the middle to open up oppositions. Not surprisingly, Carlos Hernandez has played a crucial role in the side’s mid-season surge.
While last week’s trip to Albury could be counted as an “away win”, the Heart need to crack their poor away record and this presents the perfect opportunity to test their new found resolve.
On the other hand, a Phoenix win could give them an opportunity to leap to third place.
Join us for live scores and coverage from 3.00pm AEDT.
Midfielder
Guest
Like mega wow
Harry
Guest
I think David Willliams, Adam Taggart & James Troisi all have a chance if they keep banging em in. Ange is most definately attending A-League matches -dunno if he made it from Geelong to W'ton overnight however it would not surprise me if he was at suncorp.
Harry
Guest
Hey - you win some 5-0, you lose some 0-5. Hurts more at home doesn't it? A Victory supporter p.s. If your mob sack Ernie we'll have him back on stand-by
Harry
Guest
I wonder what the odds would have been on that!?! Smartest use of a time machine, including Doctor Who etc has gotta be Biff in Back to the Future, bringing back his "sports almanac"! Congratulations to Engelaar - he's a big unit, and as a Victory supporter I cannot wait to see the battle between him and Tomi Rogic in 2 weeks!
hog
Guest
WTF !!!!!!
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
Full-time: Wellington Phoenix 0-5 Melbourne Heart. Didn't see this coming, not sure how many did either. Excellent display from the Heart, Wellington comprehensively beaten. Hope you enjoyed as much as I did, Roarers. Until next time!
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
90' MHT 0-5: Can't fault the Welly fans, "Ole" ringing out when their team makes a pass. Last minutes, now into stoppage time.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
88' MHT 0-5: Nix can't wait for this to be over, Heart don't want it to end. 9,767 in attendance today.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
86' MHT 0-5: Almost six as Mauk smashes at goal, Moss tips it over.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
83' MHT 0-5: Heart goes close to make it six but Mauk heads wide.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
81' MHT 0-5: Heart knocking it around, going all the way back to Redmayne.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
79' MHT 0-5: Beautiful ball from Behich over to Dugandzic, who shoots but its saved.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
77' MHT 0-5: Heart again able to play forward at will.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
75' MHT 0-5: Poor coaching from Merrick? didn't really change up when needed. Outcoached?
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
73' MHT 0-5: Williams receives the ball from a nice spell of possession but it flies wide. Murdocca OFF, Mauk ON.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
70' MHT 0-5: Heart very nimble moving forward, creating what they probably shouldn't be able to.
fadida
Guest
Can I just say I picked this on Friday (though not the margin of course) :)
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
68' MHT 0-5: Phoenix have it, trying to work around the Heart but attack is lifeless. Garrucio ON, Ramsay OFF.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Sack Errick will be the cry from New Zealand ;)
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
66' MHT 0-5: Free kick in scoring range for the Heart here. Moss saves Kalmar's curling effort.