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Sasho Petrovski celebrates - Source: Getty Images -
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It's been almost 18 months since Wellington have lost an A-League match at their Westpac Stadium fortress but don't think that bothers Newcastle coach Branko Culina.
"That just means that every game they're getting closer to a loss," the Jets coach said ahead of Sunday's sudden-death A-League minor semi-final in New Zealand.
Ricki Herbert's men head into the clash having not been beaten at their home ground in a staggering 18 matches.
On top of that, the Phoenix are expecting their largest-ever crowd of more than 34,000 - a complete sell-out that confirms New Zealand soccer has entered a golden age.
With things seemingly stacked in their favour, the Phoenix are strong favourites to move within one win of an historic grand final appearance.
That leaves the Jets carrying the underdogs tag yet again, just as they did before prevailing against Gold Coast on penalties in the first week of the finals.
You could think the label would sit well with the Jets and coach Branko Culina, ensuring they head into the game without any pressure or expectation upon their shoulders.
But the colourful coach is much too ambitious for that.
"I have pride in my team and myself and for that reason I don't like to be an underdog," Culina said.
"Underdog is a tag you give to those people that no-one gives any hope because they're not good enough.
"I'd like to think I'm a good enough coach and I definitely think my players are good enough.
"This season we've achieved a tremendous amount to what happened last year (finishing last).
"However, I want to be involved in a team and build a team that is going to be favourites in every game it plays.
"Because then people rate you respect and know you're good.
"At the moment, I don't think people quite see us that way."
The Jets have been boosted with in-doubt players Jobe Wheelhouse (groin) and Song Jin-hyung (virus) looking certain to play in the match.
The Phoenix, meanwhile, will have to manage without the suspended Jon McKain while a large contingent of their squad didn't arrive back in Wellington until Saturday following New Zealand's 2-0 friendly loss to Mexico in Los Angeles.
Skipper Andrew Durante, who along with McKain was away during the week on Socceroos duty, admitted it wasn't the ideal preparation but backed the huge home crowd to give his players the required lift.
"With the crowd behind us that'll lift them to another level and they'll forget any pain and fatigue," Durante said.
"They'll ride the game out on pure emotion."
