The Nix Fix: Singing in the rain

The Phoenix train continues to gain momentum with a 2-1 victory away to Brisbane in horrendous conditions.

It was a crucial match for both teams as the Nix looked to extend their lead at the top of the table, while on the other hand Brisbane were after points to keep in touch with Melbourne City who occupy the sixth and final qualifying spot for the playoffs.

Brisbane were the team to take an early lead through Adrija Kaluderovic. The Roar striker latched onto a cross from Corey Brown and tuck the ball past a diving Glen Moss in just the fifth minute of play. But the Nix would respond soon enough all thanks to their leading goal scorer Nathan Burns. With five Roar defenders between him and the goal, Burns started a run from the right sideline all the way to the goal leaving Michael McGlinchey with the simplest of tap ins to equal the score.

Just as the match looked to be heading to halftime at 1-1 Roy Krishna fired a cracking shot that would rebound off the post to an unmarked Burns who made no mistake to send the Nix into the lead as halftime was called.

As the rain started falling in the second half players began to slip and slide all over the place. The match was officially called off by referee Alan Milliner in the 73rd minute (rightfully so) as the pitch became unplayable and incredibly dangerous for the players.

A-League rules stipulate that if a match is called off in the second half then the result stands as it is, meaning the Nix were awarded the win 2-1. It makes it the first time they have won in Brisbane in their eight year history and gives coach Ernie Merrick a win in his 200th match in charge of an A-League team.

The decision was met with outrage by Roar coach Frans Thijssen who believed his chance was robbed of a chance to win the match. However the way things were going it looked like it would be the Nix who would be the more likely to add to their total, not the Roar.

This Sunday the Nix will return to Westpac Stadium for the first time since round 14, way back at the start of January. The ground has been taken over by the Cricket World Cup forcing the Nix out to the Hutt Rec. While normally a decent crowd would be guaranteed with the Nix on such a run and their opponents Sydney FC sitting closely behind them in third, there’s unfortunately two major factors that will influence the crowd figure.

The first is the international window that the FFA refuses to recognise. With the All Whites heading off to Korea the Nix will be without six of their players. Hardly ideal for a massive match upon their return home from a very successful run of away wins.

The second is the cricket. Yes the cricket. With New Zealand having now qualified for the World Cup Final, the Nix match is going to be on at the same time as the Black Caps look to make history against either Australia or India. The Phoenix have already ruled out an early start to the match and are encouraging fans to attend the game with the promise of regular updates from the ground announcer. Not that anyone can’t do that through their phones these days anyway.

While it’s difficult to estimate how many will be in the stands on Sunday, you can guarantee no matter the size of the crowd the Nix will be there fired up and ready to take three points from Sydney FC and protect their lead at the top of the table.

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