Soccer: Phoenix chase 10-year licence

Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata. Photo / Getty Images

The Wellington Phoenix are confident of obtaining a 10-year extension to their A-League licence, even though there are calls for them to be ditched after next season.

Asian Football Confederation president Mohammed Bin Hammam has been outspoken in his belief the Phoenix don't belong in the Australian league. But Wellington are working with Football Federation Australia behind the scenes to secure their long-term future.

"We will be there next season, without a doubt," Wellington CEO Tony Pignata said. "It's just beyond that we're not so sure. We want a 10-year licence to give some surety to the club. We are trying to sign players but they aren't sure [about coming here] because they don't know how long we will be around."

Although it is early in the season, Wellington rank fifth of the 10 teams in average crowds. They have attracted an average of 9087 to their three home games to date behind Melbourne (17,757), Sydney (13,425), Adelaide (12,532) and Brisbane (10,242).

"The FFA have said we are one of the best-run clubs in the league so we are putting pressure on them to push things through," Pignata said. "It's a political minefield at the moment [with the situation with Asia] and we are hopeful the FFA will reach the right decision. I think we are going to be here for a while to come."

The decision must ultimately be approved by Fifa, and the Phoenix have so far received support from Fifa president Sepp Blatter. Pignata said they were also likely to employ Oceania president Reynald Temarii, who is a Fifa vice president, to help push their case.

Wellington host Central Coast this afternoon desperate to continue their nine-game unbeaten run at home but more intent on collecting all three points. They go into the game on the back of three draws in a row which has seen them stuck at ninth of the 10 teams after seven games.

Their attack has come under heavy scrutiny in recent days, with some labelling coach Ricki Herbert too defensive. His side, though, have played their best football this season but have been made to pay for some shocking misses.

Daniel is unavailable today, having returned to Brazil to be with his wife who has recently given birth to the couple's second child, while Jon McKain (quad) is also out. Influential playmaker Paul Ifill (hamstring) is rated a 50-50 chance to play and could be replaced by talented teenager Marco Rojas.

New signing Adrian Caceres is likely to get his first start after impressing off the bench last weekend.