4 Mar 2010

Culina changes mind over Phoenix

7:57 pm on 4 March 2010

The coach of the Newcastle Jets, Branko Culina, has done an about face on his views over the Wellington Phoenix being part of the Australian football competition.

Newcastle and the Phoenix play in Wellington on Sunday, with the winner then playing either Sydney or Melbourne for a place in the A League final.

But Culina told the Newcastle Herald earlier this week that the Phoenix, who the A League have granted a ten year licence extension to, shouldn't be in the competition and it should only be Australian teams.

But he now says a strong Wellington side will benefit the whole of the A league competition.

He says the style of football the Phoenix has been playing and the crowd support the side gets is also good for the competition.