Soccer: Auckland rivals look to lay some O-League ghosts

James Pritchett will lead Auckland City in their opener against AS Magenta. File Photo / APN

The ghost of last season's embarrassing loss of O-League domination hangs over Auckland City and Waitakere United heading into this weekend's opening round of the new season's competition.

The Auckland teams have been handed first-up home advantage, over AS Magenta and AS Tefana, with respective coaches Aaron MacFarlane and Neil Emblen determined to cash in.

City's MacFarlane said that while he is well aware of the part goal difference might play in the final standings, he is more concerned with taking maximum points.

"I don't know a lot about them [Magenta] but Ramon [co-coach Ramon Tribulietx] says he thinks there are a few changes from the team City played last season," he said. "It won't be easy. Last time we went a goal down but came back to win 2-1. It could be just as hard this time out."

MacFarlane is anticipating one change to the team who battled their way to a first-up 3-2 ASB Premiership win over Waikato FC, with exciting youngster Adam Thomas set to start in place of another newcomer, Stu Kelly.

"He has a ton of pace and we see him as an exciting prospect. He was in Steve Cain's Under-17 squad last year and plays out wide.

"By his own admission, Stu is not quite there yet, so we will give him more time."

City are likely to field Jacob Spoonley in goal, James Pritchett, now entrusted with the captaincy, Sam Campbell, Phil Edginton and Ian Hogg across the back; Angel Berlanga, David Mulligan and Alex Feneridis in midfield; and Thomas, Daniel Koprivcic and Adam Dickinson up front.

Emblen is likely to stay with a settled line-up for tomorrow's game with the Tahitians. He will be without veteran left back Neil Sykes who is struggling with a calf injury.

"With Neil out it will come down to a toss-up between Tim Myers and Ashton Pett," said Emblen. "Elsewhere there unlikely to be changes but we will be looking for something better from a number of players.

"I will give them one more crack. Zane Sole did not do brilliantly [against Team Wellington] but neither did Martin Bullock or Chris Bale.

"If they had done well I might have considered a 4-4-2 but while Jake Butler is away it is chance to have a look at the options."

In attack, Emblen is also looking for more.

"I want Ryan de Vries and Allan Pearce to match what we are getting from Roy [Krishna]. They have trained well this week so here is their chance."

Emblen met the Tahitians at the airport and was impressed with their attitude.

"They gave the impression they are well organised," said Emblen. "They have a European [French] coach. They arrived early and are going to watch the Saturday game so we might find ourselves with a battle on our hands."

In group A matches, defending champions Hekari United, from Papua New Guinea, are at home to Vanuatu champions Amicale FC while the highly-rated Solomon Islands champions Koloale FC are also at home to Fijian representative Lautoka.

O-LEAGUE: GROUP B, ROUND ONE
Auckland City v AS Magenta (New Caledonia)
* Kiwitea St, 3pm today
* Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)

Waitakere United v AS Tefana (Tahiti)
* Fred Taylor Park, 2pm tomorrow
* Referee: Andrew Achari (Fiji)