Soccer: Herbert and Phoenix rooting for a Jets win

Ricki Herbert. Photo / Supplied

Ricki Herbert and the Wellington Phoenix will be hoping for a Newcastle Jets win in Saturday's sudden-death playoff with Gold Coast United.

A win for the Jets and victory for Herbert's Phoenix over Perth Glory at Westpac Stadium on Sunday would book the Wellington-based franchise another game at home on March 7.

While minor premiers Sydney FC and runners-up Melbourne Victory battle home and away over two legs for the short route to the grand final, the other four teams are down to one life.

Sydney and Melbourne kick off the post-season at Etihad Stadium on Thursday night - Sydney opted to play the first leg away.

The fierce rivals complete their two-leg final on March 6 - after a break for the February 27-28 Fifa window - back at the Sydney Football Stadium where Sydney sealed their first minor premiership in the last of the round-robin matches on Sunday.

In the first of the elimination matches, Gold Coast United (third in the minor premiership) host Newcastle with the winner through to the minor semifinal.

As the highest placed team of the bottom four teams in the play-offs, Gold Coast will have home advantage if they win this week.

Newcastle and Gold Coast go into Saturday's clash on the back of last-round regular season losses.

The Jets were beaten 2-1 at home by Adelaide. Fabian Barbiero had the visitors ahead after eight minutes. Ali Abbas equalised after 41 in a game dominated by Adelaide who had a 12-5 advantage in shots on goal, 7-4 in corners won and 59 per cent of possession.

The Phoenix were even more dominant in beating Central Coast Mariners 3-0 in the round opener in front of an encouraging 14,237 fans.

Tim Brown gave them a dream start, scoring after 14 minutes. Two Paul Ifill strikes two minutes apart inside the last 12 minutes sealed the Phoenix' 10th win of the season and took Ifill's goal tally to 12 and second equal, with Carlos Hernandez, on the golden boot list.

Wellington were dominant. They led attempts on goal 16-5, shots on target 5-1, corners 10-0 and possession 62 per cent to a paltry 38 per cent.

Perth Glory were, like the Mariners, outplayed in most departments in their home game with Brisbane Roar but still won 2-0.

The Queenslanders, playing catch-up from the 10th minute when Scott Neville gave the Glory the early lead, had more scoring attempts and corners and advantage in possession but were left empty-handed when Scott Bullock added a second Perth goal 17 minutes from time.

It was a similar story in Townsville as North Queensland Fury scored first and last to beat Gold Coast 2-1.

The Fury led the shot and corner count and got home as David Williams and Terry Cooke scored in the 10th and 84th minutes. Joel Porter's 63rd-minute equaliser gave the visitors some hope.

The premiership was wrapped up in front of 25,407 rowdy Sydney fans as their beloved beat the enemy from Melbourne 2-0 playing all but the opening few minutes without inspirational captain Steve Corica.

Karol Kisel gave Sydney their 35th-minute lead which John Aloisi doubled four minutes into the second half to ensure Sydney would end the round-robin with 15 wins - the most by any team.

With just seven losses, the Phoenix had the least while their 10 draws were the most. Their plus-eight goal difference was bettered only by Sydney and Melbourne.