Soccer: Auckland on trial as Phoenix hit town

Auckland's chances of hosting big matches similar to the 2009 World Cup qualifier (above) in which the All Whites beat Bahrain are in the balance. Photo / Mark Mitchell

If Auckland wants to host the All Whites in the next two years, fans need to show their support for the Phoenix on Saturday night, says Ricki Herbert.

The Wellington-based franchise meet Adelaide United at Eden Park, which marks the first time in their short history they will play an A-League match in New Zealand's biggest city.

Following the capitulation of Auckland-based outfits - the Kingz and the Knights - who played in the Australian league, the Phoenix have found success in the capital.

The club has enjoyed popularity when it has taken its brand on the road. The Phoenix attracted more than 19,000 punters to a game in Christchurch last year and 15,000 turned up to watch a pre-season clash with the Brisbane Roar in Dunedin's new stadium this year.

"Let's hope it feels like a home game and I guess that'll help with a few of the public sitting around the seats. We can only hope that happens," said Herbert, who doubles as All Whites and Phoenix coach.

"I think crowd attendance is going to be really important, not only for the Phoenix, but the national programme [which] kicks off next year. And I think there'll be World Cup opportunities. The game in general with a city that size really should be having that type of football on an annual basis. So let's hope they turn up. I'm sure they will."

Early yesterday about 6500 tickets had been sold for Saturday's game in a stadium that held 60,000 for the Rugby World Cup final.

New Zealand Football released the All Whites' international fixtures for the next two years yesterday, featuring an away match in February against a side yet to be determined and a string of home and away World Cup qualifiers if the side progress that far.

NZF chief executive Grant McKavanagh echoed Herbert's challenge to Aucklanders to support the Phoenix, saying it could affect where All Whites matches are played.

"Auckland has more football players and fans than anywhere else in the country," McKavanagh said. "But it's a competitive market out there now with a new stadium in Dunedin, a new one planned for Christchurch and Wellington having produced that magical atmosphere two years ago.

"The Rugby World Cup showed, though, that Aucklanders will get out for the right event and we think they'll respond for the first chance in 23 years to see football at Eden Park."

There could be up to five home internationals over the next two years.

"We've got some big matches coming up on the road to Brazil, hopefully culminating in one huge week in November 2013 with both legs of the intercontinental playoff.

"There's a desire to spread the All Whites games around the country but there's a number of factors to take into account when selecting venues including the support of local fans."