Soccer: Aussies cashing in as Phoenix wait for licence renewal

Phoenix players congratulate goalkeeper Liam Reddy on his penalty saves. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Football Federation Australia bosses were smiling all the way to the bank after Sunday's bumper crowd watched the Wellington Phoenix eliminate Perth Glory in a dramatic penalty shootout to keep their A-League hopes alive.

And, with all the money going across the Tasman, they are hoping for more of the same when Ricki Herbert's team returns to Westpac Stadium on March 7 for the elimination semifinal with the Newcastle Jets.

Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata, who yesterday confirmed there was "nothing in it for the Wellington club - we don't get a brass razoo, not one cent", finds it a little ironic that the club who gave the FFA their biggest return from the first weekend of the post-season is the only one yet to be offered a licence extension.

Just over 18,000 turned up at Etihad Stadium for Thursday's glamour clash between Melbourne Victory and minor premiers Sydney FC, but barely 4000 were at Robina's Skilled Park on Saturday to watch home side Gold Coast United go down in a penalty shootout to the Jets.

A record 24,278 fans cheered the Phoenix to victory.

Pignata is predicting an even bigger turnout for his team's last home game of the season.

"We are the hottest ticket in town at the moment," said Pignata.

"I think the next one will be a sellout. There have already been strong sales and I wouldn't be surprised if we sell 30,000 tickets. It promises to be as big as the World Cup game.

"Everyone who left the stadium on Sunday was emotionally charged. The FFA had 10 people here and they were blown away by what happened on the pitch and the crowd we had."

It was the fourth biggest crowd of the A-League season headed only by two matches between Melbourne and Sydney and Melbourne's home game with newcomers North Queensland Fury who had Robbie Fowler on show as their marquee player for the first time.

The 19,258 at AMI Stadium a few weeks ago for the Phoenix clash with bottom-placed Adelaide United was the 10th-biggest regular season crowd.

There is talk some of the income from play-offs, apart from the Grand Final, might be shared by the participant clubs next season, "but as of now, there is nothing for the clubs", said Pignata.

"We have ticked a lot of boxes this season and that can only help when FFA chief executive Ben Buckley and chairman Frank Lowy meet Asian president Mohamed bin Hamman to further discuss our participation in the league.

"The other clubs all have a contract offering them a 10-year licence extension sitting on their desks. All we have is the guarantee of one more year.

"Obviously we would like the security of a 10-year licence.

"Terry [Phoenix bank roller Terry Serepisos] is in for the long haul but a licence extension would give him the opportunity to bring in other partners."

The euphoria of recent weeks has stalled negotiations Pignata is having with goalkeeping hero Liam Reddy but once the play-offs are over he will take them up.

Pignata added: "He has made it clear he is happy to sit down and talk."