Phoenix thump Jets 3-nil

Wellington Phoenix one point off A-League top four after three-nil win over Newcastle but Jets coach says Phoenix not a contender

5 January 2009
Wellington Phoenix has boosted its chances of reaching the A-League football playoffs with a three-nil home win over the Newcastle Jets.

Shane Smeltz scored two goals and there was one to Leo Bertos to move the Phoenix to 25 points on the table, one point outside the top four.

Coach Ricki Herbert says the result was vital to their playoff hopes. He says a loss would have made it difficult for them to recover towards the top four.

However, Jets manager Gary van Egmond is not convinced the Phoenix are playoff contenders, despite the hammering. He says the Phoenix work hard but do not play well enough to mix it with the top sides.

Adelaide United leads the competition on 30 points with three rounds remaining in the regular season.

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