The Nix Fix: On a roll
The Phoenix are into the playoffs! If the regular season were to end now.
After a win over Newcastle on Sunday night at Hunter Stadium the Phoenix have moved up to sixth on the A-League ladder. It’s the first time this season that the Nix have found themselves occupying a playoff spot after spending the earlier part of the season battling with Melbourne Heart to avoid last place.
The win also marks the third time this season that the Wellington based team have won away from home. This is significant because winning in Australia has always been a massive struggle for the Nix. To win games away from home, especially tight ones, will give Ernie Merrick’s boys a big confidence boost as they enter the final third of the regular season.
Heading into the match the Nix were going to be without Kenny Cunningham and Michael Boxall due to suspension. Then two days before the match Albert Riera tore his groin muscle and was ruled out for a month, meaning that three of Merrick’s starting XI would not take the field.
With two starting midfielders missing the running of the midsection would be left to Carlos Hernandez, who didn’t disappoint. The Costa Rican opened the Phoenix account in the 21st minute with a shot from outside the front of the box but the Jets would equalise almost immediately through Craig Goodwin, who would pick up two goals on the night.
Stein Huysegems continued his good form of late with a goal off a Hernandez through ball before Jason Hicks scored his first A-League goal, which would prove to be the match winner.
Another highlight apart from the win was the debut of young Alex Rufer. The 17 year old nephew of Wynton Rufer, arguably New Zealand’s greatest footballer, took the field in the 85th minute and produced a few good touches in his short time on the pitch. Rufer is touted as a future star for the Nix so it was great to see the youngster get some valuable game time at the top level.
Next weekend the Phoenix will be back at home taking on Melbourne Heart who have improved drastically since the sacking of coach John Aloisi. Although they sit at the bottom of the ladder they are playing much better than that would suggest and they will be a tough challenge for the Phoenix back in Wellington.
Kenny Cunningham and Michael Boxall will be welcomed back into the squad after serving their one match suspension while Albert Riera’s groin injury will keep him out for a while longer.
In an effort to get more fans to Westpac Stadium major sponsors Huawei are offering $10,000 to a random fan if the attendance at the game is higher than 10,000. Not a bad way to attract people to a football match.
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