KEY POINTS:
Having emerged from the hype and hoopla of their A-League soccer debut with a meritorious 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory on Sunday, the Wellington Phoenix are aiming to pick up where they left off when they take on the Central Coast Mariners on Friday.
The Phoenix came back
from the dead with two late goals from Brazilian midfielder Daniel and striker Shane Smeltz to snatch a point off the defending champions.
Coach Ricki Herbert has given a strong signal he may keep faith with Sunday's squad who took them to the brink of victory.
Goalkeeper Glen Moss, central defender Cleberson, particularly in the second half, midfielder Ross Aloisi, Daniel and Smeltz all had outstanding games.
Brazilian substitute Felipe, who sparked numerous attacks from midfield when he came on for Jeremy Christie with about 20 minutes to go, might get a start on the strength of his performance.
"Playing away from home might shape our thinking a little bit but the players used on the weekend did a great job for us," Herbert said.
"Mistakes too, which we'll work hard to rectify, (but) the group that we used did extremely well - we might play a little differently (against the Mariners) that's all."
How differently Herbert would not say, but he indicated that being defensive would be the last thing on the team's minds.
"We showed at the back end of the Melbourne game we can be a good attacking side this year.
"The belief and confidence started to come (in the final quarter) and it'll be nice to see it over 90 minutes.
"Whilst in defending we can do better, we'll take a very positive approach into every game."
He did not think the players had raised expectations unrealistically with their impressive debut.
"We are very focused, the boys are back on the park (in training) and look very buoyant which is to be expected.
"They are a good group and they will carry us a long way."
Securing their first win of the season was the next target but the closeness of the competition is reflected in the fact only the Mariners came away with a win in the first round, 1-0 over Sydney.
All the other matches ended in draws leaving the Phoenix sharing second place in the table with three other teams.
Having lost 0-2 to the Mariners in Pre-Season Cup play, Herbert noted they had a powerful striking duo in Sasho Petrovski, who scored in the 1-0 win over Sydney, and Nik Mrdja.
" The Mariners ar e a hard working team who'll keep coming at us.
"They won't be doing us any favours and we'll have to be right on the night to get something out of it."
The Phoenix left Wellington today to prepare for the match to be played in Gosford.
- NZPA
