Alex Rodriguez still chasing first Wellington Phoenix goal as 50th game looms

Alex Rodriguez pleaded with the media not to tell his team-mates about his goal-scoring record. 

The Spanish midfielder looks set to make his 50th appearance for the Wellington Phoenix in their season opener against Melbourne City on Saturday,  

The statistic which hangs over the 23-year-old is the zero goals he has scored in his first 49 games. Even Vince Lia, who has scored only three goals in 195 A-League games, scored in his first season with the Phoenix back in 2007.

Wellington Phoenix player Alex Rodriguez is yet to score in 49 A-League games.

It was something which Rodriguez was well aware of, but something he had kept relatively quiet when asked if his team-mates gave him grief about it.

"No not really, so don't remind them - I think they don't know yet. 

Wellington Phoenix striker Hamish Watson was surprised to hear team-mate Alex Rodriguez had not scored a goal for the club.

"It has been a little bit frustrating [not scoring], but I have been practising my shooting so hopefully I get one soon."

Up next to talk to the media was striker Hamish Watson, who has three goals in his first 10 matches for the club. The question to be asked was obvious: would he be directing some banter Rodriguez's way?

"To be honest with you I didn't know that [he hadn't scored]," Watson said.

"But now that you brought that up I'll go straight in the changing rooms and give him a bit of a go after this."

Despite the friendly ribbing, Watson was backing Rodriguez to break his duck this season.

"Obviously Ernie is telling the midfielders to get into goal-scoring positions, so it's his chance to pop up and get a goal, and I think he's got a few in pre-season so hopefully he can get on in the A-League now."

While Rodriguez was keen to get a goal, he wouldn't mind who gets them on Saturday as long as the team - playing without four of their All Whites - gets a win.

"Obviously they are big players and we will miss not having them, but we've got a big squad and we've been training really hard in the pre-season, so we're feeling confident."