Phoenix need to force AFC rethink

While there has been much talk about the Phoenix' dire home crowds at Westpac Stadium, the sole Kiwi team in the A-League could spark an old debate should they continue their hot form.

The Wellington Phoenix sit in third position on the A-League ladder, just two points behind Brisbane Roar. With Central Coast Mariners sitting 11 points clear at the top of the table, the Ricki Herbert-coached team could find themselves in second spot after a six-point home game against Brisbane in three weeks time.

The minor premiers and finalists are given a ticket to the group stage of the Asian Champions League, while the team that places second after the regular season is granted a qualifying playoff to the tournament.

Unless that team is the Phoenix.

In 2009, the sole Kiwi outfit were given special dispensation to play in the Asian Champions League until 2011 should they qualify. While they were unable to make the top two in either year - they were 90 minutes away from the final when they lost to Sydney in controversial circumstances two seasons ago - the signs were positive from the Kiwi club.

But from this month onwards, it looks as if any hopes of playing in the continent's most prestigious club competition are gone.

The only way the Nix would've been able to reach those dizzying heights is if they were to become an Australian team that was playing out of New Zealand.

It meant players from the home country would ironically be seen as foreign players such is their non-Australian heritage.

Thankfully the confederation have not consigned the Phoenix to a proposed second division of the A-League.

But in light of their current position and the amount of games remaining - the match in three weeks which could go a long way to deciding their fate - the debate over their ineligibility should be raised again.