NZFC SEMIFINALS
Today: Waitakere United v Team Wellington
Tomorrow: Auckland City v Canterbury United
Waitakere United coach Neil Emblen is all too aware how important it is to score the first goal in today's second leg of their semifinal with Team Wellington.
For Waitakere it would tie it up at 3-3 (on aggregate after the 3-2 loss in the first leg) and give them the advantage under the away goals rule.
If the visitors score first, thereby claiming an away goal of their own, the pressure will be on the home side.
But Emblen is not changing anything in what could be a season-defining clash.
"We might make one change in the line-up but otherwise things will stay the same," said Emblen.
"You can't experiment in games like this. I feel we could have had six or seven goals last week but a combination of good goalkeeping and our lack of concentration in front of goal cost us.
"But I can promise the fans we will be going for it."
He will again look to the rejuvenated Benjamin Totori to lead the charge.
After scoring two goals in the crucial 2-2 draw with Auckland City - including one seen as a contender for goal of the year - many, including Wellington coach Stu Jacobs, reckon the one he scored in last Sunday's first leg was even better.
Totori will relish the freedom the bigger Fred Taylor Park pitch gives him. Unbeaten at the park this summer, Waitakere will want to finish on a high.
Jacobs, too, will go into the match with little, if any, change.
"We will go with the same sort of game plan," said Jacobs.
"We have come right lately so there is no need to change much. For two-thirds of the season we were a bit sloppy. Early on we couldn't win a game.
"In the last few weeks it has been a lot better. Scoring in the last minute for a 4-3 win over Waitakere in the regular season and the win we scored with the last kick of the game against Waikato gave us the confidence that was lacking."
While Jacobs sees the game as a chance for Greg Draper to further press his All Whites claims, he feels Cole Peverley needs to be more consistent if he is to catch Ricki Herbert's attention.
Auckland City Paul Posa will be without veteran striker Grant Young for tomorrow's return with Canterbury United. City, 2-1 winners at English Park, have a decided advantage but Posa is taking nothing for granted.
Posa was not being drawn on Young's absence, but it seems the former South African who has rarely figured in the starting line-up this season, has turned his back on City and headed to Forrest Hill Milford to play in the Northern Premier League.
"Essentially we will have the same team this week," said Posa.
"With James Pritchett back - he got through 70 minutes well in Christchurch - we can put out our preferred back four of Ian Hogg, Ivan Vicelich, Greg Uhlmann and Pritchett, which allows us to play Chad Coombes in a more attacking role.
"On his day, Chad is very good and this season his discipline has been much better.
"We are not counting our chickens," said Posa. "It will be a huge challenge."
Canterbury have been one of the form teams this season and under coach Keith Braithwaite they have always looked likely. This will be a big test but one Braithwaite feels they are ready for.
Three Waitakere players face a busy weekend with Tim Myers, Dakota Lucas and Ryan de Vries expected to back up in tomorrow's National Youth League final against Canterbury United.
NZFC SEMIFINALS
Second leg:
Today: Waitakere United v Team Wellington
* Fred Taylor Park, Whenuapai, 2pm
Tomorrow: Auckland City v Canterbury United
* Kiwitea St, Sandringham, 2pm
NATIONAL YOUTH LEAGUE
Final:
Tomorrow: Canterbury United v Waitakere United
* English Park, Christchurch, 2pm.
