Soccer: Adams, Tuiloma facing a hectic weekend

Luke Adams. File photo / Richard Robinson

Waitakere United youngsters Luke Adams and Bill Tuiloma face a busy weekend with the prospect of playing in today's Youth League final and at least being on the bench for tomorrow's Premiership game in Christchurch.

Ironically, both games will be played on artificial surfaces and both are between Waitakere and Canterbury United.

The Youth League final will be played at Bill McKinlay Park and tomorrow's key premiership battle will be at the new-look ASB Football Park.

Waitakere coach Neil Emblen will not be using the pitch as an excuse if his club falls at either hurdle.

"They will both be tough games," said Emblen. "We are fortunate in some way that we actually train on an artificial pitch once a week so it is something the players are used to. The sessions are quite zippy with the ball moving a lot quicker. The players are looking forward to both games as it is the chance to win something."

Waitakere are the defending Youth League champions and while they don't exactly have a home advantage they have at least avoided the need to travel whereas Canterbury are in Auckland for the second week in a row after beating Auckland City in a penalty shootout.

For the senior game an injury cloud hangs over right back Aaron Scott prompting Emblen to include Adams and Tuiloma in his travelling party.

Of 21 matches against the southerners, Waitakere have won 12 and lost six.

Canterbury coach Keith Braithwaite has been forced to make changes with top goalscorer George Slefendorfas suspended. He can still call on All Whites midfielders Aaron Clapham and Cole Peverley although there is some doubt over Clapham.

Auckland City go into their first match since their return from the Club World Cup without key players but with a good record against Otago United.

With Manel Exposito, Albert Riera and Adam Dickinson missing, there will be a reshuffle in the City ranks but head coach Ramon Tribulietx can point to their 13 wins in 18 games against Otago as something of a confidence booster.

Again, it promises to be a tough battle with Otago very much a form team with three wins and a draw in their five outings this season.

Otago sit just two points behind Auckland City with Waitakere in third place and will be fully aware a win could take them to the top but coach Richard Murray will have to shuffle the pack to fill gaps left by injuries.

After two wins in two competitions over the past couple of weeks, there will be added confidence in the Waikato FC camp.

Up against a Hawkes Bay United team only a point ahead of them and with home advantage, Declan Edge and his young charges will be keen to maintain the momentum against a team who, like them, have won only once this season.

The fourth of tomorrow's games marks Stu Jacobs' return to Dave Farrington Park with YoungHeart Manawatu for their clash with Matt Calcott's Team Wellington.

ASB Youth League

Final
Waitakere United v Canterbury United
Bill McKinlay Park
Today 2pm

ASB Premiership

Auckland City v Otago United
Kiwitea Street
Tomorrow 2pm
Waikato FC v Hawkes Bay United
Porritt Stadium
Tomorrow 2pm