After back-to-back away wins, it's now up to the Fever Zone to help Wellington make it a hat-trick at Westpac Stadium!
After back-to-back away wins, it's now up to the Fever Zone to help Wellington make it a hat-trick at Westpac Stadium!
For a long while now, Wellington Phoenix have proved that they have the talent in their squad to mount a challenge at the top of the Hyundai A-League.
On their day, they are more than a match for any team. However, one thing has always stood in the way of a genuine shot at glory: their pesky away form. Well, almost unbelievably, the side from New Zealand have suddenly started winning on the road!
Last weekend, they recorded not only their second away win of the season - an achievement in itself - but their second away win in a row! Following their dogged 1-0 triumph on the Gold Coast, their latest success away from Westpac Stadium was especially impressive.
To go to Newcastle - such a force on home soil - and leave with three points clearly illustrates Phoenix's credentials. The points were sealed by right-back Manny Muscat's goal in the 58th minute and put Ricki Herbert's team within touching distance of the top two.
Now back on home soil, Wellington will be eager to build on the unlikeliest of awayday results by gaining victory against one of their ladder rivals, so get along to Westpac Stadium and show your side that you believe in them as they aim to keep the momentum going in the second half of the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season. With your support, the Yellow & Black can make it three from three.
However, to prove that the world has completely turned upside down for Wellington, the last time they played on home soil, they suffered an unexpected defeat to Perth, and this weekend's encounter will certainly be no easier.
Having flirted with a title-challenge thus far, Melbourne Heart have shown themselves to be one of the strongest teams of the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season, and last weekend were unlucky not to overcome the current champions at AAMI Park.
Leading through Jonatan Germano, John van 't Schip's men were eventually pegged back by Besart Berisha's second-half goal.
While Melbourne's supporters will perhaps feel aggrieved that the fiery frontman was even involved - he was only playing because of his right to appeal a one-match ban - they will certainly be happy with the manner of their team's display against the side that walked to the title last time round. However, they will need to start winning games soon if they are to remain on course for a high finish.
Saturday's draw was their third home game in a week without a victory, and their fifth winless match in total. Considering Phoenix's recent form, the Fever Zone will certainly the fancy the home side's chances of prolonging that run.
Can Wellington rediscover that winning feeling at Westpac Stadium? Fever Zone, your players have shown incredible spirit and determination to take six points from six in Australia, so now it is your turn to display similar levels of passion! Give them a rousing reception on their return and don't stop making noise until the final whistle is blown!