Football Fever

On Wednesday 12 September 2007, 10,000 members of the famous “Tartan Army” marched in to the Parc de Princes Stadium in Paris to support Scotland in a key Euro 2008 qualifying clash with France.

Although outnumbered 3 to 1 the ‘Tartan Army’ created such a sound and emotional atmosphere that the match felt like it was being played in Glasgow’s Hampden Park and when James Mc Fadden scored a brilliant winning goal, the stirring “Flower of Scotland” engulfed the ground and could be heard being sung throughout Paris long into the night.

On Sunday 26 August 2007, 14,500 people attended Westpac Stadium in Wellington for the A League debut of the Wellington Phoenix in a match against the defending champions Melbourne Victory.

A significant group within this crowd were the ‘Yellow Fever’ supporters and they produced a performance to match many of the Football fan clubs throughout the world.

With Wellington starting the match hesitantly, including missing a first half penalty, and finding themselves 2 goals down against an experienced and very professional side, it was the “Yellow Fever” in full voice that brought the team to life and the last 20 minutes of the match saw the Phoenix lay siege to the Melbourne goal.

Scoring 2 goals to tie the match up at 2-2, the Phoenix went agonisingly close to snatching a late winner in the last few minutes for what would have been a thoroughly deserved and historic first up league victory.

It is this spirit that emanates from the “Yellow Fever” that has helped propel the Phoenix forward in their first season playing in a very tough and demanding league.

After dominating the Newcastle Jets, at Westpac Stadium, before falling to a lone goal, the team drew 2-2 with Adelaide United before gaining its first ever home win with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Perth Glory on Sunday 30 September.

On the road, where results can be very hard to achieve, the Phoenix have already beaten one of the league’s glamour club’s Sydney FC, 2-1 after being 1-0 down very early in the match.

The Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert has successfully blended Brazilian flair and creativity with Kiwi hard work and commitment with some experienced Aussies like former Socceroos captain Ross Aloisi and Richard Johnson performing well in the midfield and Karl Dodd being the team’s standout defender to date.

New marque signing Ahmed Elrich produced one of the goals of the season in his first start against Central Coast Mariners on Sunday 21 October and showed signs of how he became a highly regarded Socceroo and played Premiership Football in England for Fulham.

However, it continues to be the “Yellow Fever” who are the real find of the season for owner Terry Serepisos, coach Ricki Herbert and a very appreciative group of players who are inspired to produce high quality and entertaining football for their loyal, committed and noisy fans.

The Phoenix are now embarking on a very challenging 3 away match schedule against Adelaide, Perth and Queensland before returning to the “Ring of Fire” Westpac Stadium for the match against Sydney FC on Saturday 17 November.

The “Yellow Fever” will no doubt be in full voice for this match which should give Capital fans the chance to see Sydney’s marque player the World Cup winning Juninho in action.

Meanwhile, the next day at Hampden Park in Glasgow the “Tartan Army” will be roaring their team on in a match they must win to qualify for Euro 2008, against current world champions Italy, who will fail to qualify if Scotland beat them.