Soccer: Phoenix want record kept intact

Paul Ifill. Photo / Getty Images

Perth Glory have won five of 14 games against the Wellington Phoenix but none at Westpac Stadium. Not since the old New Zealand Knights days have the West Australians won on New Zealand soil.

Ricki Herbert will be keen to see that continue when they square off for the second time this season this afternoon. Perth edged the Phoenix 1-0 at nib Stadium in round three - the first loss of the season for the Phoenix who were under-strength that day.

The battle within the battle today will be for bragging rights as strikers Paul Ifill and Shane Smeltz go head-to-head.

While Ifill can go to the top of the Phoenix all-time list of goalscorers - he and Smeltz are level on 21 - Ifill insists that is a mere sideshow to the real deal of taking the three points from a third win of the season.

"We've got to get our home form back on track," said Ifill. "It doesn't matter who scores as long as someone puts the ball in the net. We had some good chances last week in Morwell and didn't take any so everyone needs to step up."

Tim Brown has scored 20 times for the club and given his goal-poaching ability - including some stunners - he will be keen to stay in that race.

"I think Shane is the best striker in the league," said Ifill. "His goal to game record is exceptional and he is the type of player who doesn't seem to be doing much and suddenly he has put the ball in your net."

Ifill predicts the Wellington defence will have to be on their toes against Smeltz and his strike partner, Billy Mehmet.

"That pair will make things tough for our back four," said Ifill. "I don't think the best has been seen of Billy yet. He has lost weight since he trialled with us and is looking sharper."

Off the field Ifill has been in the news as well.

Herbert and the club's new owners have been given a vote of confidence by Ifill who has turned down offers from other Hyundai A-League clubs and signed a new two-year deal.

"I want to thank Ricki and Welnix for showing faith in me and hope I can repay them in the next two and a half years," said Ifill. "It is nice to get offers from other clubs because it means you are doing something right, but after weighing everything up I really wanted to stay.

"I've probably made wrong moves in the past and being at the Phoenix is the most I've enjoyed my football."

Herbert has as close to a full strength squad as he has had all season. Dani Sanchez reappeared in the loss to the Heart in Morwell and should be ready for more game time.

It has been a difficult week for Ian Ferguson and his players.

Originally scheduled to play Sydney FC on Wednesday night en route to Wellington, that game was canned after the Glory squad were left stranded at Perth airport for eight hours waiting for the weather to clear.

They then had to make the trip to the Capital via Brisbane while their luggage headed someplace else.

But, buoyed by their 2-0 win over Gold Coast last Saturday, they will be primed for today's game and the chance to break a different drought in Wellington.

A-League
Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory
Westpac Stadium
Today 5pm (live SS3)
Referee: Ryan Shepheard