Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick says his team have a few surprises in store for Sydney FC as part of the New Zealand team’s quest for a top-two ladder finish.
Phoenix and Sydney play their final round A-League match on Sunday at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium.
The Phoenix go into the match in third place with 46 points, behind Sydney FC and Perth Glory who have accumulated 47 points each.
Glory, however, have been excluded from the playoffs following their salary cap breach.
Merrick is adamant Sunday’s match will bear no resemblance to Phoenix’s 0-3 loss to Sydney on March 29 in front of a home crowd.
The coach says he has been focusing on getting the team’s strategy right for their opponents.
“I don’t think I got that right the last time we played them and we lost three-nil, so we need to get it right,” said Merrick.
“I think we can do a better job now and be more creative in attack.”
Sydney have not lost an away game all season, but that streak could end if Phoenix push hard enough, says the coach.
“They’re looking pretty good defensively – we’ll see if we can find some holes.”
A win for Wellington would not only give Phoenix second spot on the ladder but also a week’s rest and home ground semi-final advantage.
“It’s an opportunity the players have earned and we don’t want to hold anything back,” said Merrick.
“We’re very happy going into this game. We’ve got an opportunity and the boys are highly motivated to do something.”
Unlike their last match against Sydney, in which Wellington lost a few players to international duty, Phoenix have a full squad to choose from for Sunday’s match.
Merrick says this will give him more options and keep their opponents guessing.
“As soon as the teams start playing the same way week in, week out and it becomes predictable, then your opposition close you down and close down your strengths,” he said.
“It’s about plan B, sometimes plan C … and even plan D.”
Needles
Guest
Not to worry, Victory will lose to Sydney in the final at AAMI.
Horto Magiko
Guest
Oh snap. After all that,I just realised I jumped the gun in replying to u, not to go nix, on closer inspection what he said was nonsensical aswell as derogatory after all, He didn't say "embarrass themselves" he said "do you really want a 3rd representative to embarrass you?" To which I say yes, if that embarrassment will lead to the eventual improvement of football within my own country and offer more sporting and financial opportunities to clubs here.
Horto Magiko
Guest
Well I'm glad u can make heads or tails of his comment..I wasn't aware of your donkey whispering skills RBBA ;) To me it seems he has an overly simplistic view of a complex situation.. "He is saying that 3rd club who goes to the ACL at the expense of Wellington will embarrass themselves because have they really haven’t earned to be there." How have they not earned the right to be there exactly? We shouldn't have to measure ourselves and "earn our rights" against a foreign team from a foreign confederation whilst competing within our own domestic league whilst trying to qualify for our confederations most elite tournament! In fact it's not that Aussie teams haven't earned their right, it's that their right has been needlessly shat on by this strange anomalous situation we find ourselves in.. Phoenix don't belong in our league.. This isn't my personal opinion nor do I hold a personal grudge against them.. AFC clearly think so.. And by all reports so do fifa..and yes, clearly these Aussie sides have been shown up by a foreign club..but does that mean they deserve to have had their opportunity to qualify for a Asia diminished?. Why is it ok to measure ourselves against/be shown up by Wellington and not Madrid? (Aside from geographical proximity there is simply no other sound argument for the inclusion of Wellington.. Not until NZ join AFC) id argue bring a foreign club from African or European confederation and have them teach us that we "don't have a right" to win/lose our own comp/qualify for Asia. What I really want someone to explain to me is: If they can't qualify for ACL and they can't compete in the FFA Cup then what the hell are they doing here?
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Horto Magiko I think you jumped the gun. He understands the point you just made, well that's the way I read it. He is saying that 3rd club who goes to the ACL at the expense of Wellington will embarrass themselves because have they really haven't earned to be there.
Horto Magiko
Guest
"If only two teams are good enough to go to ACL, do you really want a 3rd representative to embarrass you?" Wtf? No Einstein, a 3rd Aussie club *will* playoff for ACL. It's evident that you haven't understood the facts at hand, I know this is really complex stuff but you're a big boy now.
Batou
Guest
I think the smiley face might be a hint there Avictory...
GO NIX
Guest
But lets be fair here. EVERY Australian club had the opportunity to make sure 'the nix' didn't block a space... you make it sound like they are a bunch of bullies trying to steal your lunch money. If only two teams are good enough to go to ACL, do you really want a 3rd representative to embarrass you?
AVictory
Guest
Do explain? How "bad" are we and why?
langou
Roar Guru
I didn't realise how bad Victory fans were until I had to share a city with your mob. ;-)
Horto Magiko
Guest
Victory wouldn't take you either iangou. Don't you live in Melbourne? Blasphemer lol. If Perth is so good you could always catch the next flight back :)
langou
Roar Guru
Now Perth Glory are out the race, I would love to see Wellington win this year. However I would take anyone bar Victory.
Horto Magiko
Guest
I guess where I was coming from was, SFC already have the ACL playoff spot even if they lose against Phoenix. (Granted I'm sure they'd want to secure direct qualification by winning the finals). True, there are a slew of case scenarios for ACL qualification that may play out. What I mean about Wellington is: 1) They are currently stopping Adelaide contesting that automatic playoff spot, 2) In the finals they may knock out an Australian team that could secure that direct qualification spot. For eg. SFC and MV get knocked out of finals.. Nix knock out Brisbane, Adelaide or MCFC from finals. The club they do knock out of the finals loses their opportunity to get that direct ACL qualification spot. Not a great situation for all Aussie clubs involved.. Particularly when you take into account what uncle junior says: "Wellington is playing for more than bragging rights. No2 finish is very important for Finals. It gives the team a week’s rest and only have to win 1 match to make the Grand Final." Again, not great for Aussie clubs involved if the situation were to play out as in the above examples.. I agree there are other permutations I haven't taken into account, but having nix in the finals full-stop reduces opportunities for Aussie clubs directly qualifying for Asia period (let alone having them in the plate race period.. as the example re missing opportunity for automatic ACL playoff concerning Adelaide). Not diggin it. I'm happy to stand corrected on this. Infact id really like to be.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Dom's broken a lot of stories this year but this might be his biggest and, at least the very least, his most important. http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/one-in-five-former-aleague-players-experience-mental-health-problems-after-retirement-20150421-1mq01y.html
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Thanks AZ.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Thanks Brucie baby, without your input, the football thread is not complete & it doesn't even have to make sense like the previous post.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Yep that sounds about right to me. Of course, if you throw Wellington in the mix it might get a little messy haha. This is where FFA Cup might be able to tidy things up a little bit. What really does my head in every season is Europa qualification in England. It's a messy mix of EPL, FA Cup and League Cup with considerations to UCL.
LordBrucie
Guest
fussy wussy/uncle j - it would be great if the Phoenix were given a fair shake of the sauce by so called 'fans' like yourself. For the comp to have any credibility they must play the gf at AAMI in Melbourne if victory or city earn that right. Fortunately the ffa have backed down and accepted that they are powerless to move the game to docklands stadium! Asso. Football must remain humble and know its current place in the nation's sporting hierarchy.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Perth Glory did in the 2nd of the GF wins for BR, when CCM was premiers.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Thanks, please bear with me. So Premiers (MV) gets 1 st ACL spot Grand final winner gets 2nd spot (if MV) then it reverts to 2nd place for 2nd spot? 3rd spot will go 2nd place, if not already qualified, if so, it will go to 3rd place before GF loser. Have I got it right? So if Sydney runs 2nd, they will get ACL even if both Sydney & melbourne don't qualify for final. Yes?
JohnL
Guest
Thanks AZ_RBB