Soccer: Phoenix look for home advantage in semifinals

Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante has been a rock in defence. Photo / Getty Images

A win for the Wellington Phoenix against the Central Coast Mariners on Friday night will book them home advantage for their A-League semifinal a week later.

A win for the Newcastle Jets in last night's rescheduled match - away to Central Coast Mariners - would have them equal on points with the Phoenix but with a plus-five goal difference compared with Newcastle's minus-eight.

Ricki Herbert's team are well-placed to hold fourth if they beat the Mariners.

With just a four-day turnaround, a trip across the Tasman and with the knowledge they are no chance in the play-off race, the Mariners, now without influential All Whites midfielder Michael McGlinchey (on loan to Scottish Premier League club Motherwell), will need a huge effort to deny the Phoenix.

In holding on to their precious 1-0 halftime lead - courtesy of a stoppage time Paul Ifill penalty - to edge Gold Coast United at Skilled Park, the Phoenix had the satisfaction of being the only team in the Hyundai A-League not to lose to the Robina-based team.

The loss also ended any chance Gold Coast had of taking the minor premiership.

Herbert was overjoyed with his team's effort.

"We came here to win and that's what we did. We were positive and we approached this as if it was a play-off match - we were up for it," said Herbert.

"Even though we knew we had made the top six, it was clear what our intentions were and this win puts us in the driving seat for the top four and a home semifinal."

The Phoenix's defence, led superbly by skipper Andrew Durante and his centre-back mate Jon McKain, was awesome.

When the Gold Coast were not being shut down by the Phoenix's tireless midfield of Tim Brown, Manny Muscat and Vince Lia, it was Durante and McKain who held the line and repelled the hosts.

Gold Coast dominated everywhere but on the scoreboard. They had 57 per cent of possession, an 18-10 advantage in scoring attempts and led the corner count 5-2.

Ifill's goal, his 10th of the season, took him into equal fourth (with Archie Thompson) in the golden boot race but still nine behind Gold Coast's Shane Smeltz.

The 22,726 fans who packed Etihad Stadium to watch their beloved Melbourne Victory beat North Queensland Fury 2-0 were more than the total of all spectators at the remaining three matches.

Carlos Hernandez scored one in each half for the Victory, who had a 17-7 advantage in scoring attempts in a game in which possession was shared 50-50.

A late John Aloisi goal, his second of the match in front of the 8359 who turned up at Parramatta Stadium, earned Sydney FC a 3-2 win over Perth Glory.

Like Melbourne, Sydney have won 14 this season. They clash at the Sydney Football Stadium in Sunday's last game of the regular season, with Sydney needing to win to take the title.