Football: Wellington Phoenix brace for full house in historic A-League semi-final against Melbourne Victory

Wellington Phoenix will have a sellout home crowd when they attempt to create history against Melbourne Victory this weekend. 

After last week's 0-0 draw at Melbourne, the Phoenix are now just one win away from their first-ever Grand Final appearance and they hope more than 30,000 fans will prove the difference.

"For me, I'm super excited about this being probably the biggest game of my life," said striker Ben Old.

After holding Victory to a scoreless draw in the first semifinal leg, they now back themselves to go where the club has never gone before. 

"I think now the chances are little bit in our favour," said Bozhidar Kraev. "Maybe 60/40 to us."

Another factor could increase their chances even more - Sky Stadium will be a sellout. 

"They're like an extra player for us and I think it's honestlyy true," said Old. "You've seen that in the last few games for us, scoring a last-minute winner."

Among the fans screaming for the Phoenix will be rugby counterpart the Hurricanes, although they're undecided if they'll participate in the traditional celebrations with Phoenix fans.   

"Have you seen this rig?" laughed Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw.

"I dont know about taking my shirt off," insisted loose forward Peter Lakai. 

"If they win, yeah maybe, stranger things have happened," reflected Laidlaw. 

Not wanting to jinx things or get too ahead of ourselves, it begs the question - at what point in the game is it OK to take your shirt off?   

"For us or the fans?" asked Old. "Just do the same, 80th minute is it?"

"It's never too early, is it?" wondered Laidlaw. 

Fans hope it will be a historic night... and maybe a chilly one, depending on how you celebrate.

Join Newshub at 6:30pm Saturday for live updates of the Phoenix v Victory A-League semi

Wellington Phoenix will have a sellout home crowd when they attempt to create history against Melbourne Victory this weekend. 

After last week's 0-0 draw at Melbourne, the Phoenix are now just one win away from their first-ever Grand Final appearance and they hope more than 30,000 fans will prove the difference.

"For me, I'm super excited about this being probably the biggest game of my life," said striker Ben Old.

After holding Victory to a scoreless draw in the first semifinal leg, they now back themselves to go where the club has never gone before. 

"I think now the chances are little bit in our favour," said Bozhidar Kraev. "Maybe 60/40 to us."

Another factor could increase their chances even more - Sky Stadium will be a sellout. 

"They're like an extra player for us and I think it's honestlyy true," said Old. "You've seen that in the last few games for us, scoring a last-minute winner."

Among the fans screaming for the Phoenix will be rugby counterpart the Hurricanes, although they're undecided if they'll participate in the traditional celebrations with Phoenix fans.   

"Have you seen this rig?" laughed Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw.

"I dont know about taking my shirt off," insisted loose forward Peter Lakai. 

"If they win, yeah maybe, stranger things have happened," reflected Laidlaw. 

Not wanting to jinx things or get too ahead of ourselves, it begs the question - at what point in the game is it OK to take your shirt off?   

"For us or the fans?" asked Old. "Just do the same, 80th minute is it?"

"It's never too early, is it?" wondered Laidlaw. 

Fans hope it will be a historic night... and maybe a chilly one, depending on how you celebrate.

Join Newshub at 6:30pm Saturday for live updates of the Phoenix v Victory A-League semi

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