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AAP
AAP
Ben McKay

Zawada chasing double-figure ALM tally for Phoenix

Phoenix striker Oskar Zawada (r) has set himself another 10-goal target for the ALM season. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Wellington striker Oskar Zawada is setting his sights on another 10-goal haul this A-League Men season as the Kiwi club aim for their best-ever start. 

The Phoenix host Brisbane Roar on Saturday afternoon as part of their first double-header of the season with the ALW.

If Giancarlo Italiano's men beat the Roar, it will be the first time in their 17-season history they would have picked up at least seven points from their first three games.

Their unbeaten start to date has confounded pre-season predictions they would be easybeats this term, with a first-time A-League coach and a young squad.

Central to their chances of another finals appearance is Zawada, who got off the mark in last weekend's 2-1 win over Perth Glory.

The Polish striker netted 15 goals in a sensational first A-League campaign and netted an opportunistic 35-metre goal with goalkeeper Oli Sail stranded to start this campaign's tally.

"I saw that (Sail was) far away from goal and I didn't even look around, I just try to shoot and I made a goal," he said.

"It's good to start with a goal and I'm very happy to score my goal in the second game ... I have to continue scoring and continue winning."

Showing a striker's instinct, Zawada said he enjoyed opening the scoring more than setting up the late winner.

"Of course for me scoring goals is more fun than making an assist," he said.

"But I'm not a striker that would try to play selfish, that would try to shoot 10 times to get one more goal."

That may be why Zawada has set his aims this season to just 10 goals, rather than trying to eclipse his previous efforts.

"Ten goals is always good for this league. I will be happy with 10 ... it's a realistic target ," he said.

"We have to look at how many chances we create. I don't think we are in the moment right now where we create four, five, six chances to score like some strikers have in the league."

Brisbane also arrive in free-scoring form, netting three against Sydney FC last week, including a double to Henry Hore.

Coach Ross Aloisi can also call on Corey Brown and Carlo Armiento for the trip after the pair returned to full training.

Just Jez Lofthouse and Jack Hingert remain on the sidelines for the Roar, who also have four points to start the season.

Italiano may be able to offer Sam Sutton his first minutes of the season as the full-back edges towards full fitness.

"It might be time off the bench and if he's not available for the game it will be next week," he said.

David Ball remains a touch-and-go proposition as the warhorse Englishman manages pain from a hip injury.

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