Soccer: Central trio need to pass fitness test

By BOB PEARCE

Three key players will face fitness tests before Central United take on Manawatu at Kiwitea St tomorrow for the right to play Miramar in the national league grand final.

Central lost 0-1 to Miramar in Wellington last Sunday in a semifinal which coach Paul Marshall believed could have gone either way.

"It was very tight and physical and against the best team all season we can be positive about the way we played," he said yesterday.

"Now it's a matter of stepping up to a higher level."

Negatives for the Sandringham-based club were injuries to strikers Campbell Banks and Miro Major and captain Michael Ridenton, who is a stalwart of the defence.

Banks was on crutches at training this week with a damaged calf, Major has knee problems and Ridenton is nursing a sore ankle.

However, all are still rated possible starters.

When the teams last met at Central's home ground in Kiwitea St, Manawatu won 5-3 after below-par performances from Central goalkeeper Ross Nicholson and several others.

Central won the league grand final two years ago but Manawatu have never won the national title and nor has their coach, Colin Tuaa, despite a playing career stretching over two decades.

The closest he came was in 1984 with Papatoetoe, who were second to Gisborne City.

Manawatu's 4-0 defeat of Mt Wellington in the minor semifinal last weekend has them on something of a high.

"This season we have used 21 players, with a lot of injuries, but I now have a fully fit squad to choose from," said Tuaa.

"Everyone played very close to their potential last week and we've got a lot of confidence.

"One of the most encouraging things is that we have four players 19 and under among our regular starters."

The grand final will be on September 9, at North Harbour Stadium if Central win tomorrow, or at Newtown Park, Wellington, if Manawatu prevail.

Meanwhile, North Shore are a point away from clinching a place in playoffs for next year's league.

They beat Eastern Suburbs 3-1 in a northern premier catch-up game on Thursday and need only a draw against Manukau today.

Already qualified for the playoffs in Wellington from September 1-3 are Wellington United and Caversham.