Phoenix fans set to jam 'cake tin'

Glenn Watson | 2nd March 2010

The "house full" signs are about to go up for Wellington Phoenix's home A-League soccer semifinal against Newcastle on Sunday.

As of yesterday,  only a few hundred tickets were left for the Westpac Stadium game.

"We have sold 31,000 tickets, easily beating the 24,000 for the Perth game," said Phoenix media man John Mitchell yesterday. "I have no doubt we will have a full house for Sunday [kickoff 4pm]."

He said the side had no injury worries, but had several players in World Cup warm-up action this week. The All Whites meet Mexico in California on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Auckland City players Jason Hayne and Chad Coombes have been called into the All Whites squad, but injury has stalled Craig Henderson's debut.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert had hoped to take a look at Sweden-based midfielder Henderson for his World Cup squad, but the midfielder who was already working his way back from groin surgery, twisted a knee in training.

"It's unfortunate timing for Craig, but the most important thing is his well being," Herbert said. "I've always been positive about what Craig might offer the squad and this won't count against him long-term."

Herbert will now pass that immediate chance to Hayne, 23, and Coombes, 26, who impressed during Auckland City's fifth place finish at the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi late last year.

"The form of Jason and Chad needs to be acknowledged and it gives them a wonderful opportunity to impress. It's a huge step up to international football so we'll be able to see if they can bridge that gap or if it's a bridge too far."

Hayne celebrated his call-up with a goal in Auckland City's 1-1 draw against Manawatu yesterday.

While the New Zealand squad are already missing defender Ryan Nelsen and goalkeeper  Mark Paston through injury, and 75-cap defender Ivan Vicelich through a one-game suspension, Mexico - who dispatched Bolivia 5-0 last week with local players - will be close to full strength with the majority of their European-based stars on display.