Waitakere United and Canterbury United both got off to winning starts in the ASB Premiership with home-wins today.
Five-time champions Waitakere climbed out of a 2-0 hole to claim a 3-2 victory over Wanderers SC at Fred Taylor Park, while a goal in each half was enough for Canterbury United to see off WaiBOP United at ASB Football Park in Christchurch.
Goals inside the first 20 minutes to Regont Murati and Andre de Jong had the squad of players preparing for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand ahead but the home side steadied and hauled themselves back level before the break thanks to goals from Tom Biss and former All White David Mulligan.
Another former All White, defender Andy Boyens, completed the turnaround with a 61st minute header from a corner.
The Wanderers side lept out of the blocks in the early going and got on the board first in just the sixth minute; Murati sliding the ball home under Danny Robinson in the Waitakere goal. The youngsters' great start was boosted further when De Jong doubled their lead 12 minutes later, skipping beyond two Waitakere defenders and tucking the ball home.