Keinzley says losing last match not an option

At the start of the 2012 Central League football season and Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley was predicting it would take 40 points to win the title.

And that's exactly what United will finish on if they complete their league programme with a win over Napier City Rovers in Napier on Sunday.

But whether it will be a good enough effort to give them their first Central League championship probably won't be known for another week or two.

For if defending champions Miramar Rangers beat bottom-placed Maycenvale United this weekend they will still be in the reckoning, needing to win the three games they have left to end up with 40 points as well. That situation would mean the title being decided on goal differential, something more likely to be to Miramar Rangers' advantage.

The dream result for Keinzley this Sunday, of course, would be for his side to win and Maycenvale United to at least share the honours with Miramar. That would guarantee Wairarapa United overall success. But he expects Miramar Rangers to have little trouble picking up maximum points: "It would be nice to think there would be an upset there, but when you look at the strength of the two teams it's very hard to imagine it happening."

Of more concern to him is the ability of his side to rise to the occasion against Napier City Rovers after a disappointing 3-1 loss to Lower Hutt City.

With Rovers knowing a win would keep them in the title race, they will be firing on all cylinders and, as well, tend to produce their best form at home.

"They have as much to play for as we have, the pressure is on the both of us. Losing simply isn't an option."

Keinzley won't finalise his starting side until after training tonight and says it will be a case of making choices on the basis of what is best for the team rather than individual preference.

"Players have to forget about where they would like to play, it's all about how we can come up with the right result. They have to give 100 per cent no matter where they end up."

Perhaps the major talking point for Wairarapa United will be the positioning of Adam Cowan, a potential match winner when up front or in midfield, but also a proven defender.

It will be interesting, too, to see whether regular striker Seule Soromon gets a start or comes off the bench. He has struggled for form in recent weeks and could find himself playing second fiddle to Paul Ryder and Pita Rabo.

Tactically, Keinzley expects both teams to focus on attack, at least until the first goal when more onus could go on defending a lead.

"That first goal is going to be huge, no team wants to be playing catch up in a game like this."