Wellington Vs Melbourne - (Confirmed in Melbourne)
if it comes to chch again im smuggling in some beer...that was criminal
f**k yeah!
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Can someone enlighten me as to its whereabouts? (Auckland way?)
Wellington Phoenix have turned down the chance to play their next Pre-Season Cup match at home, believing an away trip to Melbourne will better prepare them for the rigours of A-League football.
The Phoenix, beaten 2-1 by Queensland Roar in Christchurch three days ago, also want to keep the A-League season opener, against Melbourne Victory on August 26, fresh so have acceded to a Football Federation Australia request to play the match in Melbourne on Saturday.
Wellington secured a home cup match against A-League champions Melbourne after finishing third in group B, but Melbourne's extensive travel schedule during the past few weeks was the major factor in FFA's request.
If they beat Melbourne, who finished last in group A, on Saturday they will play the winner of the Newcastle-Sydney match in a playoff for fifth and sixth, while the two losers will playoff to avoid the wooden spoon the following weekend.
Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said playing in Australia had attractions for the club, and he agreed to the request last night.
"It's a win-win situation for both teams really," he said. "It allows us to rehearse the travel requirements and everything involved with that, and it also helps Victory out. They've had a very busy and long travel schedule lately."
The Phoenix would lose nothing financially, with Pre-Season Cup matches achieving little more than break-even status and the FFA meeting travel costs.
Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert had earlier said yesterday that he "wouldn't mind one more away game".
"Just from a player point of view of view. Travelling away and everything that goes with it, it's good for the team to experience that and it's also good from a team bonding perspective.
"I think given where the organisation is now and what we're heading to in terms of that first A-League match, Melbourne Victory at home wouldn't be ideal."
Wellington missed the Pre-Season Cup semifinals by one point, Queensland and Central Coast progressing from group B.
Wellington have the two cup matches over the next two weekends and are looking at playing another warmup match the following weekend before they take on Melbourne on August 26.
Meanwhile, more than 3000 people attended an opeI think the management see it as a chnace to keep people fired up about the 26th.
Why on earth would you give the opposition a home game and not play at a neutral venue or somewhere else here.
yeah it's less about getting a win and more about experience
Up the Nix.
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I would if I had a laptop avalaible at the mo mate, but I don't sorry!
the a-league website still says Westpac Stadium
Haha. Nah - we actually played well in the first half, especailly considering all the issues surrounding the team at that time. I remember being suprised. Then about half way through the 2nd half we dropped the ball
It was Ricki... his first game in charge. FFA screwed with the travel arrangements so a patchwork squad were introduced to each other in the tunnel beforehand.
Haha. Nah - we actually played well in the first half, especailly considering all the issues surrounding the team at that time. I remember being suprised. Then about half way through the 2nd half we dropped the ball
man if we could do that at the ring of fire it'd be fan-f*nkn-tastic
Yep I think I was east or west. Was good fun.
valeo2007-08-02 21:11:30