Brockie relishing Ifill partnership

Wellington Phoenix striker Jeremy Brockie is thriving on his burgeoning partnership with fellow forward Paul Ifill.

Brockie has hit a rich vein of form on the Phoenix’s tour of India, netting seven goals in the two most recent games on the sub-continent.

The New Zealander, who joined Wellington in the off-season, scored four against Shillong Lajong on Sunday and followed that with a hat-trick against Royal Wahingdoh on Wednesday.

But it is playing alongside Ifill, the Phoenix’s leading goal-scorer and playmaker in recent seasons, that has Brockie most excited.

“Being an attacking player, scoring goals is what it is all about,” the 24-year-old said.

“Confidence has a lot to do with getting goals, but for me it is also about making sure my body is in the right shape – that I’ve done all the necessary rehab work.

“The combinations with other players are starting to gel and me and Paul Ifill already have this weird understanding that we know what the other is going to do.

“Paul is one of those players who can be quiet for 10 minutes and then, bang, he’s put the ball in the net or sets up a chance for someone else.

“He is such a dangerous player. I’ve watched him in the last couple of seasons and been thinking I would love to play alongside someone with his vision. Now I am.”

Brockie is also enjoying the unique experience of touring India.

“One of the good things about playing football for a living is that you get to see different parts of the world,” he said.

“India is a bit of a culture shock but it makes you appreciate what we have back in New Zealand.

“I would probably never have come here on holiday so I am seeing something I would have missed and it is good to be away from the training ground in Wellington.

“Just turning up there every day during pre-season becomes repetitive and it is good to be away with the boys because there is always lots of banter.”

Wellington have one more game on tour – against either United Sikkim or Shillong Lajong – on Saturday.

They will complete their pre-season friendlies against A-League newcomers Western Sydney Wanderers in Christchurch on September 23 before their season opener against Sydney in Wellington on October 6.