Soccer: Chatham Cup call-up for Douglas

By TERRY MADDAFORD

In a surprise late call-up, former All Whites and Football Kingz defender Sean Douglas will line-up for University Mt Wellington in tomorrow's Chatham Cup semifinal against Tauranga City.

Douglas' return is vital as Uni-Mount will be without suspended defenders Craig Ashton and Kara Waetford.

Manager and co-coach Andy Brown confirmed Douglas' place in the team for the game in Mt Maunganui.

"Sean will be playing," Brown said. "He has trained with us this week and will provide the experienced cover we need at the back."

To meet the two-match qualification, Douglas played in their scheduled match against a Federation side last night and will turn out today for the club's reserves.

As holders of the Chatham Cup and with a chance to become the most successful club in the cup's 80-year history, the pressure will be on Uni-Mount who were hit by the departure of coach Tommy Mason a couple of weeks ago.

In previous matches this season, Uni-Mount beat Tauranga City 4-2 away and drew their more recent home league fixture 1-1.

"We go in as underdogs," Brown said. "Tauranga had a strong second half to their season and have had more football than us recently."

In the second semifinal, a replay of this month's league grand final, Napier City Rovers, without All Whites Jonathan Taylor and Shane Smeltz, are at home to Miramar who will be missing James Bannatyne (international duty), injured Rupert Ryan and David Johnston (overseas).

In the women's Uncle Tobys cup semifinals, Lynn Avon are away to Nomads in Christchurch and Ellerslie play Taradale at Michaels Ave.