Soccer: Change of pace no sweat for Jones

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Palmerston North's Memorial Park is a far cry from the National Stadium in Oman but Allan Jones shrugs off any comparison in looking forward to the challenge his Central United team face in tomorrow's Chatham Cup quarter-final.

From coaching a team playing in front of thousands in the 40,000-seat stadium in the Middle East country to the hundreds who will watch his team play Palmerston North Marist, Jones does draw some comparisons.

"Like the team I have here, the team I had in Oman was basically a youth side," said Jones.

"It was my choice to come back. I'm loving it. They are a smashing bunch of lads. The only frustrating thing is in knowing that in a different environment they could do better."

The clash in Palmerston North has another special significance for Jones. Home team coach Colin Tuaa played under Jones at the 1983 Youth World Cup - alongside players such as Fred de Jong and Ceri Evans.

"Players like Colin have made the most of the opportunities that have gone their way," said Jones, who made the trip last weekend to check out the opposition.

Central won the Cup in 1997 and again the following year. Given their strong showing in this season's northern premier league they should be too strong, despite playing away.

The quarter-finals of the Bluebird-sponsored Cup give five previous winners the chance of adding to their record.

Either Western, from Christchurch, who won four times between 1936 and 1955, or Miramar Rangers (winners in 1966 and 1992) will go out in their clash in Christchurch.

Auckland's Eastern Suburbs have the chance to continue their chase for a sixth title - and their first since 1965 - when they meet Lower Hutt City at Bell Park this afternoon.

The star-studded Suburbs side, coached by Billy Harris and with former All Whites including Jonathan Perry, Riki van Steeden and Sean Douglas, should justify their short-priced odds.

In the only all-Auckland clash, Waitakere City, who completed a hat-trick of Cup triumphs between 1994-96, are away to East Coast Bays.