KEY POINTS:
Chris Milicich told his players last night who will be on next Wednesday's flight to China and Japan.
Starting with tomorrow afternoon's home game against Canterbury United, those Waitakere United players are now chasing places in the starting XI against Adelaide United at Fifa's World Club Cup in Tokyo on December 11.
"Sure, it is Canterbury who are at the bottom of the table but it doesn't matter to me whether it is them or Auckland City: there are still three points at stake," said Milicich. "We have to go into this game with exactly the same frame of mind as we did when we played Auckland City on Wednesday night.
"There will be changes in the line-up. There were particular reasons we played the players we did at Kiwitea St," said Milicich when asked why players like Benjamin Totori and Adriano Pimento saw little or no game time.
"They will both probably start against Canterbury. I want to look at all the players as I decide on who will play in China and Japan. The team who play next weekend in Ningbo will be very much a shadow of the team who play against Adelaide."
With captain Danny Hay also likely to see some game time tomorrow after missing the early season action, Milicich is spoiled for defensive options.
Tim Myers impressed against Auckland as did experienced central defenders Neil Emblen and Jonathan Perry.
While he played just three at the back in that game, Milicich could revert to a more traditional back four tomorrow with Hay joining Emblen centrally leaving Myers and Perry to play at fullback.
Colin Tuaa takes Auckland City south to play Team Wellington, also tomorrow, in what will be a tough task given the short turnaround and a growing injury list.
Three players limped out of Wednesday's game. It will not be until closer to kick-off, Tuaa will know who will make it on to the pitch.
Only some inspirational goalkeeping from Richard Gillespie denied City first-half goals midweek. In the same form and with an ounce of luck, Auckland's strikers are capable of punishing any defence.
Early leaders YoungHeart Manawatu look set to improve their already impressive record against Hawkes Bay at Palmerston North's Memorial Park, while Waikato FC could pick up a point or more in their game against Otago United at Ngaruawahia's Centennial Park on Sunday.
