Andrew Durante, Leo Bertos and coach Ricki Herbert were the chosen few to represent the club at the competition's finals series launch- the first time a New Zealand franchise has made the playoffs in Australia's national football competition.
The Phoenix have succeeded where the Football Kingz and NZ Knights failed in the years since 1999 - and the significance was not lost on All Whites midfielder Bertos.
The Wellingtonian started his A-League career in Perth - and during two seasons with the Glory realised his homeland was something of a laughing stock.
"The reputation of New Zealand football hasn't been that great for a number of years," he admitted.
"Hopefully with the success we've had so far we've got a bit of credit and proved we're not there to make up the numbers."
The Phoenix host Perth in Sunday's sudden-death match between the fourth and fifth-placed qualifiers at Wellington Stadium.
The winners next play either Gold Coast or Newcastle in week two of the month-long format.
Minor premiers Sydney FC and defending champions Melbourne Victory contest a two-leg semi starting on Thursday, with the losers eventually facing one of the four lower-ranked qualifiers in the preliminary final.
By finishing fourth on the back of a three-match winning streak, the Phoenix have the luxury of home advantage - a bonus that should not be underestimated.
Not only are the Phoenix unbeaten in 17 games in the capital, Perth have been saddled with the longest of away trips - one they undertake with doubts over the fitness of key players.
Durante, one of only a handful of Phoenix personnel with A-League finals' experience, felt home advantage alone would enable the side to clear the first hurdle.
"I can't really see us getting cold feet and falling apart, especially at home," the captain and defender said.
Bertos was just as bullish concerning the venue.
"A lot of guys haven't played in the finals but the confidence is already there and the belief is high - we feel we can't be beaten at home. It's a massive advantage. Teams don't like going there."
The Phoenix started this historic campaign with a 2-1 win over Perth in August while the second clash in Wellington ended in a 1-1 draw three months ago.
However the Glory - who have also qualified for the finals for the first time - could take satisfaction from claiming their most recent meeting, 2-0, in Perth on January 22.
Perth coach Dave Mitchell said flights were being booked today with the aim of setting up camp in Wellington on Thursday or Friday.
"Travel is always going to be an issue where we are but with the time zone ( a five-hour difference) New Zealand is especially tough," he said.
The Glory also have to acclimatise to cooler climes given last weekend's 2-0 defeat of Queensland was played in 36degC heat.
On a positive note Chris Coyne will be available to shore up the defence and keep tabs on in-form striker Paul Ifill, having recovered from a corked thigh.
Midfielder Jacob Brown (hamstring) and striker Mile Sterjovski (back) still have to pass medicals.
Herbert, hoping for a crowd of 20,000, was delighted Perth had also got a monkey off their backs.
"Dave and I have been talking about this for a couple of years, we're the only ones who hadn't made it," he said.
Herbert's counterpart emphasised a friendly lead-up to the clash between the competition's two outposts when declaring: "If they knock us off I wouldn't mind if Wellington go on and win it. Ricki Herbert's done a great job."
