Soccer: City face mean defence

Goals will be at a premium for Paul Posa's Auckland City when they tackle Solomon Islands champions Koloale FC in the first leg of the O-League final at Honiara's Lawson Tama Stadium this afternoon.

The hosts have conceded only two goals in four matches en route to the two-leg final. Conversely, they have struggled to score goals, netting only four - and those in one match when they beat Kossa FC 4-0.

Posa and his players are well aware of the importance of the match, which offers the winning team direct entry into December's Fifa Club World Cup.

A point, with preferably a goal or two which would count double should the tie be deadlocked after next Sunday's return leg at Kiwitea St, would give City a decided advantage.

They will not find it easy in the sapping heat.

Waitakere United struggled in the same fixture last year and won through on the back of a convincing home victory in the return leg.

A crowd of up to 20,000 is expected for today's game with that support behind the nation's champion club.

"My boys are ready for this game," said Koloale coach Luke Eroi.

"They are feeling especially confident after beating Kossa 4-0. It's so important for us to win this first leg of the final at home."

He is buoyed by the return to form of strikers Joses Nawo and Nicholas Muri who struggled in the early fixtures before Nawo scored twice and Muri once in the win over Kossa.

The local side will again be led by defensive midfielder Richard Anisua - a player Eroi sees as key to his team's chances. After scoring twice against local club Zome Mars, Anisua was again on the scoresheet against Kossa when he made it 2-0.



Former All White striker Paul Urlovic has his chance to join City's exclusive "100 club" if he sees playing time this afternoon.

Urlovic has scored 48 goals in 99 outings for the club and is poised to join fellow striker Grant Young (109 games) and Chad Coombes (106) as the only players to notch a century of appearances in NZFC, O-League and Fifa Club World Cup matches.

Posa will again look to Young and Keryn Jordan - 56 goals in 70 outings for the club - to spearhead the attack with the support from Urlovic and young Milos Nikolic.

Auckland City (from): John Fletcher, Matt Friel, Sam Campbell, Matt Williams, Ki-Hyung Lee, James Pritchett, Paul Urlovic, Grant Young, Alex Feneridis, Jacob Spoonley, Keryn Jordan, Ivan Vicelich, George Suri, Xavi Roca, Liam Mulrooney, Riki van Steeden, Milos Nikolic.

FIXTURE

O-LEAGUE FINAL, 1st leg

Koloale FC (Solomon Islands) v Auckland City

Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara

Today 3pm