Soccer: Moss keeps eye on the ball

Glen Moss made two crucial saves in the Phoenix's 4-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners. Photo / Getty Images

In-form Phoenix goalie happy to let his side's midfield and forwards hog the limelight.

It is unlikely a goalkeeper will grab too many plaudits when a soccer team produces a 4-1 victory.

Usually when a side racks up four goals, all the chatter will revolve around who scored them and how.

That was the case when the Wellington Phoenix beat the Central Coast Mariners across the Tasman last Friday night.

Everybody was stunned by Carlos Hernandez's wonder strike in the second spell and spoke about how Stein Huysegems now has the lead at the top of the A-League's golden boot standings with 10 goals.

But Phoenix goalkeeper Glen Moss made two crucial saves in the game that made the victory possible.

With the scores locked at 1-1 after 10 minutes of the second half, he denied Mile Sterjovski from the penalty spot, which marked the second time this season Moss had saved a spot kick after he blocked a Besart Berisha effort in the round 10 loss to the Brisbane Roar.

Shortly after that save the Phoenix scored twice and when they were ahead 3-1, Moss made a brilliant stop from close range to deny Sterjovski again.

Had the Mariners brought it back to 3-2, you can only speculate how the game would have gone in the final 15 minutes.

But the life of a goalkeeper is such that you are often forgotten in the grand scheme.

"I'd much rather Carlos, Stein and [Jeremy Brockie] got the headlines at the top than myself at the back," Moss said.

"That usually means I was either overworked or I'm making too many mistakes, so I'm more than happy for King Carlos to take all the headlines."

Moss is enjoying a watershed season at the Phoenix following the retirement of his long-time rival and great mate Mark Paston.

Paston's decision to hang up his gloves last year has meant that for the first time in his career, Moss has been the clear No 1 custodian for club and country.

The 31-year-old has been in top form this summer, bar a slight blip during the 5-0 loss against the Melbourne Heart two weeks ago, and credits a thorough pre-season campaign for his success.

"For me, being injury-free just gives me so much confidence in my body and my ability because I kind of struggled with injury there for 12 months and needed a couple of operations to sort my body out. So it just means I've got to be a bit more professional in the way I look after myself and do a lot of extra work and rehab."

Moss will also captain the All Whites in their upcoming inter-national friendly against Japan in Tokyo next month.

But before he can worry about a trip with the national side, Moss and the Phoenix will look to continue their quest towards sewing up a playoff spot when they meet Adelaide United in South Australia tonight.

The Phoenix are only one win outside the top six and with seven rounds to go they need to finish strongly given the congestion in the middle of the table as only seven points separate fourth and last in the 10-team league.

Phoenix v Adelaide Utd
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide, 9.30 tonight.