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Wellington Phoenix fans celebrate - Source: Photosport -
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With the new A-League season about to kick-off tomorrow, focus is set to momentarily shift back to the beautiful game, and there has been no better time to get behind the Wellington Phoenix
After a heroic performance by the All Whites in the World Cup, New Zealand got a brief taste of what it is like to fall in love with the world's most popular sport, but as with many things in life, it is a case of out of sight, out of mind, and a few weeks on from the end of the South African spectacle, it is once again business as usual for this rugby-saturated nation.
But with the new A-League season about to kick off, there is no better time to get back into football and in doing so get behind Ricki Herbert and the boys as they bid to increase the popularity of the sport.
After starting the 09/10 season with a stumble, the 'Nix embarked on a miracle run to the finals - only to suffer heartbreak just one game out from the A-League final at the hands of Sydney FC in a controversial 4-2 loss.
But with a quiet sense of assurance and excitement surrounding the team, Herbert is confident they can keep the momentum going.
Strength in depth will play a key role for the Phoenix and Herbert has already added some new names to the sides' already experienced and stable roster.
Argentine attacking midfielder Oscar Roberto Cornejo (Toto) and rising Australian striker Mirjan Pavlovic bring some pace and creativity to the midfield, while the Phoenix also scored a coup by landing Socceroos defender Jade North, who plugs the defensive hole left by John McCain.
Young defender James Musa has signed, and former Central Coast hitman Dylan Macallister made an early impression by hitting the back of the net in two of the club's three pre-season clashes.
Fiery Indonesian player and proven goalscorer Bambang Pamungkas is also currently on trial in the capital, proving that the club has no trouble in attracting talent from further afield.
And while a new legion of fans may find themselves taking an interest in the country's only professional football team, the Phoenix's fiercely loyal fan base, the Yellow Fever, will no doubt once again turn the Westpac Stadium into a fortress that has seen the club go unbeaten at home for 20 games - wonderfully capped off with a surprise 2-1 victory over Boca Juniors in their final game of the pre-season.
After an incredible 12 months for New Zealand football, any punter would be crazy not to place a bet on the Phoenix putting on another thrilling show, even if they are placed as fifth favourites to take out the title.
The Wellington Phoenix start their campaign against Gold Coast United on August 13 at Westpac Stadium.
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