The Wellington Phoenix football team are promising a bruising welcome for the highly fancied Queensland Roar in their season-opening clash in the capital on Sunday.
Keen to improve their reputation in their third A-League season after claiming the wooden spoon last year, the Phoenix carry good form into the match.
They made the final of the Pre Season Cup last week, triggered by an impressive recruitment drive in the off-season.
Among the new names for the home side are skipper Andrew Durante and fellow defenders Jon McKain and Melbourne-born Manny Muscat.
Coach Ricki Herbert expects a tough encounter, but favours his side to overpower a Roar side missing captain Craig Moore through suspension.
