Soccer: Matchwinner Ifill in doubt for Victory

Paul Ifill of the Phoenix makes a break during the round 10 A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and the Brisbane Roar at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington Phoenix matchwinner Paul Ifill is in doubt for Sunday's match against the Melbourne Victory but it does not seem to be bothering him or his boss.

Ifill scored the first goal and set up the second in his side's 2-0 win over the Brisbane Roar at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin last night.

The Roar looked pretty, knocking the ball around and having the majority of possession.

But that meant nothing in the end - the only statistic that matters is the scoreboard, and that is where the Phoenix ruled. It was the class of Phoenix striker Paul Ifill which was the difference between the sides.

He grabbed the first goal of the game, after 27 minutes, looked very dangerous every time he had the ball and was at the heart of all the Phoenix attacks. The goal, his 22nd for the side, made him the highest goalscorer in the club's history.

"It was nice to break the record. It is one of those things which play on your mind a little bit. You can say it doesn't bother you but I think the longer it goes on then you get people saying "when it is going to happen, when it is going to happen," Ifill said.

"So it was good to get it our of the way and now I've got to concentrate on making it harder for anyone to catch me now."

Ifill also set up the second goal for Nicky Ward, with just under 10 minutes to go, with a nice through ball but left the field shortly after with a groin injury.

It was not the same groin which had hampered his start to the season, and Ifill said he was doubtful for Sunday's game against the Victory in Melbourne.

"I do not think it is anything terrible but to be honest the whole area is sore and one side is probably compensating for the [original] injury . . . I will probably still travel and get treatment over there. You never know I might feel great in the morning. But right now I'm feeling pretty sore."

With having won the past two games it may be sensible not to push himself and play on Sunday.

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert confirmed as such after his side picked up its second win in five days.

Herbert lavished praise on his side, saying the players had executed the game plan expertly, and shown great discipline.

"Statistically they are a very good side, they pass the ball very well .
. . and from our perspective we got what we got. We set the stall out with what we wanted and that is what we got," Herbert said.

"Paul [Ifill] playing up front gives us the pace and they were vulnerable a number of times. We got it right, and I think the players should take all the plaudits because they were the ones who had to play it."

The Roar had most of the ball but looked less threatening the more the game went on.

Herbert said statistics were not always a good indication of how the game played out.

"I'd love to see a stat about the middle third and attacking third as that is where you are going to do the damage."

Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou said he was disappointed with the result but not with the way his side played.

He felt his side probably lacked a bit of sharpness in front of goal but would not be changing the way his side plays.

The Roar looked nothing like the side which had tallied an unbeaten 36 match run, and its shooting on goal was forgettable.

Best for the Phoenix, apart from Ifill, were defenders Ben Sigmund and captain Andrew Durante while midfielders Vince Lia and Ward worked hard.