Wellington Phoenix have made the A-League finals three years running but coach Ricki Herbert is more impressed with this season's showing. In 2009-10 the Phoenix bowed out to Sydney FC in the preliminary final while last season they were eliminated by Adelaide United in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Phoenix meet Perth Glory in Saturday's minor semi-final.
"And that's kind of whether we win or lose on Saturday. It's been a great group and I just sense the passion in the eyes. I think we're in a good space and the players are in a good frame, as you would expect. If everyone applies themselves then I think we are going to be a hard side to beat." "I still think that this side has probably done the best job we've had at the club, given a whole parameter of things," said Herbert, when asked to compare this season's team to the last two.