The Wellington Phoenix are set to play in front of a sellout crowd at Sky Stadium this weekend with the team looking to make history in their 17th season.
The Phoenix host the Melbourne Victory after holding them to a goalless draw in Melbourne last weekend, leaving the tie evenly poised.
However, the Phoenix hold a slight off-the-field advantage as they will have a ‘12th man’ backing them from kickoff.
The Phoenix announced this morning that the match has officially sold out and are expecting a 32,000-plus crowd to watch the biggest match in the club's history tomorrow night.
Striker David Ball said he is going to stay grounded when he takes the field tomorrow night.
"I think you've got to have immense pride to be walking out in front of that crowd, it means you've done something well this season," said Ball.
With the semifinal tie currently sitting at nil-all, the match has the potential to go to extra time and penalties.
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano said he's made his team practice penalties during the week, and putting them in situations to prepare them for every scenario that might play out on Saturday.
"I want to make them comfortable with being uncomfortable...you can train for it all you want but it all comes down to the moment."
If tomorrow night's game does go beyond 120 minutes, you won't catch Italiano watching the penalty shoot-out from the bench.
The Phoenix coach said earlier this week that he can’t watch penalties and has turned away at every penalty the Phoenix have taken this year.
Italiano said he wants to put on a show for the fans and wants to create another positive moment in New Zealand football history.
"We’re gonna create history no matter what, we’ve gone above and beyond what everyone thought, now we just want to enjoy this game," said Italiano.
"This game is a celebration of what we've done this year, a celebration of the football we've played, the team themselves and going against the odds to hopefully do something fantastic."
Italiano compared this match to when the All Whites overcame Bahrain on penalties in Wellington in 2009 to qualify for the World Cup for a second time.
"I think we're creating history...I want to create another achievement."
In the other semifinal, Central Coast Mariners hold a 2-1 advantage heading into the second leg against Sydney FC. It will be played later on Saturday.
SHARE ME