Soccer: Aucklanders chase vital points minus key players

There is only one football show in town this weekend but the Auckland City and Waitakere United players will have to switch off from the big game for 90 minutes as they chase vital early New Zealand Football Championship points.

City are at Newtown Park and no doubt expecting a backlash from Stu Jacobs and Team Wellington while Waitakere face YoungHeart Manawatu in Palmerston North.

Smarting after that 4-0 walloping - at the same ground - a fortnight ago, the home side will be wary of City who opened their campaign with a 5-0 waltz against Waikato FC.

Waitakere United coach Neil Emblen was not exactly complimentary about his players after battling last week to beat AS Manu Ura.

"Having Aaron Scott and Jeremy Christie away with the All Whites makes an already difficult trip harder," said Emblen. "I am well aware of the excellent performance of YoungHeart Manawatu against Team Wellington in round one. I will expect them to be even harder to beat at home."