Phoenix ready for vital clash against Brisbane Roar

In the match that is certainly one of the most important of Phoenix in the season so far, the team coached by Ufuk Talay will need a much better performance than in their 1-0 defeat against Western Sydney Wanderers – result that costed to the New Zealand team the 2nd place in A-League standings – against Brisbane Roar.

A defeat for the Nix must be a disaster for the team as they will drop 4th in the process – Roar is just two points away from the New Zealand and can take their spot in the ladder. Phoenix is also just three points away the 5th placed side Perth Glory, so a defeat in this clash might be really terrible for the aspirations of the club in A-League postseason.

Luke DeVere will not be available for this clash as he was red carded in the previous match against Wanderers. Despite the suspensions of Oliver Sail and Tim Payne are over, both players were not listed in the matchday squad.

A win can almost guarantee the third spot for Phoenix as they will keep their hopes alive to reach Melbourne City for the second place. Talay and New Zealand fans will be hoping the key man Ulises Davila gets back to his usual quality performances while Gary Hooper needs to be inform to combine well with David Ball – to give a performance the supporters were used to during the season.

The defense will miss DeVere – Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi or Liam McGing might be taking his place in the starting eleven -, something that they will need to be careful as the veteran striker Scott McDonald netted once in most recent Roar’s clash and is eager to keep his form against the Nix.

The match will kick-off at McDonald Jones Stadium at 8pm NZT and it will be live on FoxSports and in MyFootball app and YouTube channel.