Wellington Phoenix are looking at their return to the A-League finals with a "great sense of pride" goalkeeper Oli Sail says, after sealing their spot in the top six.
Thursday's 2-1 victory against Western Sydney Wanderers has ensured that the Phoenix will finish in the A-League's top regardless, and booked their first finals return since the 2019/20 season.
The achievement of qualifying for the finals shouldn't be taken lightly by Phoenix supporters, after a tumultuous two-year campaign based in Australia with no home advantage.
The Phoenix have also been hit by COVID-19, a spate of injuries, the loss of captain Steven Taylor, and a fixture pile up that saw the team at times playing two or more games a week.
But now assured they'll play on after the end of the regular season, the team are reflecting on the scale of their achievement, stand-in captain Oli Sail explains.
"There's a great sense of pride, to be fair," Sail said.
"It's been mentioned a lot since last night's result and throughout the year, this group of boys have been through a lot, this football club's been through a lot.
"We've had so many people have to go above and beyond, invest themselves further, invest financially further - our owners over the last two years. The fans have had to invest their support while not getting the usual rewards.
"It's just a massive sense of pride really. This group of boys have withstood everything that's been thrown at them over the last two years, moreso this season with a new bunch of players.
"To achieve what we've achieved is no small feat. But [there's] also excitement, as we've shown this year, there's no one we can't beat on our day.
"Going into play-off football with a squad like that that can beat anyone on any given day can be pretty exciting."
Just who the Phoenix will face in the finals is still to be seen.
Currently in sixth, the Phoenix could finish as high as fourth to seal a home elimination final in Wellington, while just a point separates the top three sides - Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory and Western United.
Just where they'll finish will depend on the final fixtures of the regular season, as the Phoenix face league leaders Melbourne City.
And with nothing to lose in the quest for that elusive home elimination final, the Phoenix will have to wait and see before they know if they need to target fourth place.
"Obviously, the results have to go our way prior to the Melbourne City fixture anyway," Sail added. "We'll wait to see what happens there, in regards to what we can achieve in the regular season.
"If it's all to play for, and Ufie [manager Ufuk Talay] feels he can put out his best squad and still be fresh for the first play-off game, we're going to be eyeing fourth spot.
"We'll get to go home and play some more footy in front of our fans. That'll be a special achievement for the football club.
"But if that's not to be, I'd imagine we'd freshen up some players and look forward to Friday or Saturday next week.
"Against who will remain to be seen."
