Kosta Barbarouses of the Phoenix, during the A-League Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC match at Sky Stadium, Wellington, on 15 January. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners
Kick-off: 5pm, Saturday 25 January
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Wellington Phoenix striker Kosta Barbarouses is a goal scorer and he has the swagger to go with it.
The club has been relying heavily on him this season as his seven goals have helped them to mid-table position halfway through the A-League season.
The 34-year-old notched up his 100th A-League goal in Wellington's 2-1 win over Macarthur FC last week.
While the Phoenix could do with another marksman up front, Barbarouses enjoys being the centre of attention for opposition defences.
"I love the battle, I wouldn't say it feeds my ego, but it makes me feel like I'm doing something right," Barbarouses said.
He's happy with the responsibility of being the sole striker.
"I have an individual battle, two verses one every game, which I relish and I take it as a compliment."
Barbarouses started his A-League career with the Phoenix in their foundation season in 2007. He has also played for Brisbane, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC.
It was a relief for him to finally reach three figures on the goal scoring charts last week. The idea of hitting a tonne had been on his mind since his career tally got into the seventies.
"As soon as I hit 99 I was wanting to score, but it took four games, and so it was a relief to move past it.
"I knew it was going to be a great moment at the time, but I never want the attention fully on me either, so I just wanted to get it done.
"I don't know if I'll be around for 200, but 110 is the next target and I'll go in tens from there."
Auckland FC's Alex Paulsen takes a battering from Wellington Phoenix's Kosta Barbarouses, during a Round 7 game at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, on 7 December. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Barbarouses scored his first A-League goal as an 18-year-old in 2009.
However for much of his early career he tended to play wide rather than as a striker, so goal scoring landmarks weren't something he thought about.
"I always loved scoring goals as a kid, but it wasn't my primary role in the team.
"Playing striker the last few years has sparked that scoring hunger that I had as a kid."
Now in his second stint with the Phoenix, Barbarouses is happy to shoulder the goal scorer responsibility.
"At times, chances have been at a premium for us this season, but I have that confidence that if I get one or two (chances), I'll put one away."
A goal against defending champions Central Coast Mariners in Christchurch on Saturday will help as the Phoenix as they push for a play-off position, something Barbarouses said is their minimum goal this season.
