Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay
Photo: Photosport
Despite having only snuck into the A League football playoffs it hasn’t dented Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay’s confidence.
The Phoenix grabbed the sixth and last playoff spot when they beat wooden spooners Macarthur 1-nil in their final regular season match – their first win in their last six games.
Midway through the season the Phoenix were looking shoe-ins for the playoffs but then suffered a form slump.
They play Adelaide in an elimination match tonight, having lost 5-1 to them when the two sides met last in mid-March.
Talay however remains upbeat.
“I told the boys it’s very important you enjoy the week – you’ve worked hard to get to this point so let’s go and enjoy the game.
He’s also emphasised the need to be adaptable to whatever unfolds.
“There could be a lot of fluidity to it, with extra time if we go to extra or even to penalties.”
Tactically it seems the Phoenix will look to try and shut the game down rather than promote a free flowing affair which would seem to play into Adelaide’s hands.
The two sides have played each other three times this season with the Phoenix registering a win, a loss and a draw.
In the 5-1 loss Adelaide were adept at scoring off turn over possession, something Talay has highlighted to his players this week.
Phoenix player Oskar Zawada celebrates a goal.
Photo: Photosport
“What people don’t realise is that you are most vulnerable when you do have the ball because you are most open, trying to use the whole width of the pitch to create goal scoring opportunities…and they (Adelaide) leave players lingering on on the half way line to break away in transition and that’s something they do well.
“We need to stop that from happening… and we need to (look) at how our setup is and how much pressure we can put on them in the first three to five seconds after we do lose the ball.”
Talay is also mindful Adelaide do like to play a long ball style at times, citing that they are third on the A League statistics when it comes to the direct route style, which has been effective in helping them deliver a lot of ball into the opposition goal box.
As for their overall poor form late in the season Talay is dismissing it – “we won our last game” and is quick to point out that Adelaide’s end of season form hasn’t been strong either.
Adelaide, who finished third on the competition ladder, are coming off a 4-1 loss to Central Coast Mariners,
That said the Mariners finished second while McCarthur have offcially finished last in the 12 competition.
“Their form has dropped they were flying at one stage going 12 or 13 games without a loss – but finals football is a different game altogether.”
If the Phoenix win they will return to Wellington for the first leg of a home-and-away semifinal against premiers Melbourne City.
A win over Adelaide means Phoenix fans will get to see their side play at home again this season.
Photo: Photosport
-RNZ
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