Soccer: Cain looking forward to Cardozo outing

Waitakere United coach Steve Cain is taking a philosophical view on the changes he has been forced to make to his starting XI so early in the New Zealand Football Championship.

Losing striker Kris Bright was a shock after just one match but Cain refuses to dwell on that, preferring to look ahead and see what his replacement, Pablo Cardozo, can do in tomorrow's game against Team Wellington at Trusts Stadium.

"Basically, it is a straight swap," said Cain, who left the Australian midfielder/striker out of the team for last Sunday's opener against Hawkes Bay.

"He was keen to be involved but we felt the extra week would have him 100 per cent."

There is an exciting look about the United attack, with the three Australians, Pablo and Richie Cardozo and Shannon Cole, certain to ask questions of the Wellington defence. "Even without Kris in his target role, we still have enough attacking options," said Cain. "We will play in a similar way as we did in Napier. I expect we will get a decent crowd and we have to put on a good show."

Cain is contemplating other changes, with Marcus Phillips in line for a start after coming off the bench to score a screamer from a free kick in Napier. Elsewhere there is little room for change and the four-man defence, which was well-led by George Suri in Napier, is set to start.

Wellington are unchanged despite their 2-1 loss in Dunedin.

"The game could have gone either way and, as it happened, Otago sneaked in a goal-box scramble," said Team Wellington coach Mick Waitt.

"While I'm disappointed, as were the players, there's no need to change things and we'll be in good shape for Waitakere."

With Adam Birch still sidelined by injury, Sam Peters retains his place at right back. His battle with the pacey United strikers should provide the highlight.

While Waitakere are back in familiar territory in playing at Trusts Stadium, Waikato FC are off for the first of three visits this season to Rotorua.

"It is hard for us," said Waikato co-coach James Pamment. "Even when we play at home [at Waikato Stadium] we are on a ground everyone wants to play at.

"We are a transient team anyway with five players based in Auckland, some in Tauranga and the rest in Hamilton. Having to go on to Rotorua doesn't make it easy."

Pamment, although disappointed with the loss to Auckland City, is confident his team can bounce back.

"With seven debutants we are having to work hard but I'm confident we will be in the mix at the end of the season."

In other matches, Auckland City are away to first-round winners YoungHeart Manawatu and Canterbury United host Otago United at English Park.

In the early game at Trusts Stadium, the New Zealand under-19 women's squad meet unbeaten Soccer2, who lead the national league table.

The under-19s have won their four matches so far. They beat last year's winners Capital 10-1 and followed that with a second win last weekend - 2-1 over Force 3.

The team, who relish the chance to play at pace, have been particularly impressive up front with Wellington's Sarah Gregorius and Renee Leota, and Whitianga-based Helen Collins, showing out. Leota and Collins grabbed four each in the win over Capital.

Tomorrow's match is seen as the clash of the season. The youngsters will be tested by the older, more experienced Auckland-based side.