SOCCER - Footballer tries his cup luck again with new club

The underdog tag rests comfortably with footballer Stefano Virgili ahead of his team's Chatham Cup match against Mt Albert Grammar today.
Italian-born football-mad Virgili was a big part of Kaikohe FC's cup run last year and said the experience made him want to sign up for another Chatham Cup this year with his new club Okaihau-Kaeo.
"There's nothing like being an underdog, we were last year with Kaikohe and everybody expected us to lose but we got through to the second round before we were knocked out by Hamilton Wanderers, who then went on to the semifinals themselves," he said.
Kaikohe's run received national media attention but "political" problems within the Kaikohe club, saw Virgili part ways with the club at the end of the season.
Along with some of his teammates from last year, he has started up the Okaihau-Kaeo senior team which has won two out of its three games this season in Northland Division One.
"This time around I think we found what we are looking for, we have affiliated to the Okaihau club and at least this year we won't have any problems with politics at already established senior clubs," he said.
In 2006, Virgili was a part of the Kerikeri Club but also parted ways with the club after a season.
Virgili said it wasn't always easy dealing with established clubs and if it wasn't for United Soccer 1's dislike for allowing new clubs to spring up, they would have started their own club before now.
"The team is quite happy to play in a more social grade rather than trying to build up a stronger side but at least we no longer have to deal with commuting to play and train in Kaikohe," he said.
"Kaeo has never seen a senior football team before and now it is now buzzing, we are competitive and we're going to enjoy playing teams like Mt Albert Grammar."
The game starts at Whangaroa College at 2pm, while Virgili's former club Kaikohe travel to play Warkworth in the preliminary round of the Chatham Cup at the Shoesmith Domain at the same time.
Meanwhile, North Force has two fixtures over the holiday weekend, with a match at Tikipunga against Takapuna today ahead of Monday's match against Birkenhead United.
Both matches are likely to be tough ones and North Force will need two good results to kickstart their campaign and make up for their embarrassing defeat by Albany United last Saturday.
In the Northern Premier League, Kerikeri host FC Whangarei at Waipapa, while Kamo host Tikipunga and Central Brown play Onerahi at Otaika.
Kaikohe's premier league match against Madhatters is postponed due to their Chatham Cup commitments the previous day.