Soccer: City without guardian Angel for away clash

Angel Berlanga. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Auckland City and AS Magenta will be missing key players when they square off in tonight's rescheduled O-League group B clash in New Caledonia.

City, on an eight-match unbeaten run, will be without suspended defender Angel Berlanga. The Spaniard has been a key player in City's strong defensive showing in recent times and was named as January's ASB Premiership player of the month.

With Phil Edington no longer at City, the defensive responsibility tonight will rest with captain Ivan Vicelich, James Pritchett, Ian Hogg and Sam Campbell.

This quartet, along with goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley, influential midfielder David Mulligan and exciting Spanish striker Manel Exposito, hold the key to City's bid for a victory which would give them even more confidence ahead of Sunday's O-League clash with old rivals Waitakere United at Kiwitea St.

Of Berlanga's absence, City co-coach Aaron McFarland said: "He has probably been our most influential player this season.

"We spread our back four quite widely and so when we do lose the ball we have to defend. Angel is both tactically astute and quick so he's very difficult to get past. He allows people like David Mulligan to get good quality ball going forward and thrive on possession."

Despite lying at the foot of the Group B table, Magenta have plenty of firepower of their own and are likewise in confident mood after opening their 2011 Super Ligue campaign with a win last weekend.

The Noumea team beat defending champions Mont Dore 4-2 thanks to a double from Paul Poatinda and goals to Andre Sinedo and Leopold Makalu.

Poatinda will not get the chance to add to his tally tonight as he is suspended, while defender Benjamin Longue, who has appeared in French Ligue 1 with Bastia, will also be missing.

O-LEAGUE
AS Magenta v Auckland City
* Stade Numa Daly, Noumea
* Today 9pm (NZ time)
* Referee: John Saohu (Solomon Islands)