Soccer: Coach looks for repeat of trouncing

Neil Emblen. Photo / Natalie Slade

Waitakere United turned in arguably their best performance in beating YoungHeart Manawatu 4-0 away earlier in the season.

Coach Neil Emblen wants to replicate that at Fred Taylor Park this afternoon.

"We are still looking for the total performance at home," said Emblen. "Coming off a loss is incentive enough for us to turn it around."

But he is not discounting a decent challenge from bottom-placed Manawatu as he seeks the points which will take his side within sight of the minor premiership.

"I still see dangers. Jason Hayne and Michael White are capable of scoring against any team and they have signed a boy from Hawkes Bay," said Emblen. "They are not far away from being a mid-table play-off contender."

United bounced back from their loss to Auckland City with a 2-1 away win over Team Wellington last weekend and while Emblen has lost midfielder Zane Sole after being red-carded, he is not contemplating too many changes.

Central defender Jack Pelter missed that game through suspension and will also miss next weekend's O-League game in Tahiti.

Because of that, Emblen will not play him today, staying with his back four of Aaron Scott, Jason Rowley, Tim Meyers and Ashton Pett.

He is also keen to use Roy Krishna and Dakota Lucas - who scored the goals against Wellington - up front again but that will depend on his final selection after deciding which formation to go with.

"There are some options. Tim Payne scored a very good goal for the Phoenix against Auckland City and comes into consideration, as does Sean Lovemore," said Emblen.

"Martin Bullock is still not ready but he might come into consideration for Tahiti."

Emblen is also mindful of the workload of some of his younger players in recent weeks and does not want to over-tax them.

Waikato FC, humbled by Auckland City, have the chance to bounce back against Team Wellington in Hamilton today but that will not be easy even with home advantage.

City travel south tomorrow to play Otago United with three points firmly in their sights after being held 0-0 by them at Kiwitea St in November.

After scoring just one goal in the first half against Waikato, City burst clear to win 5-1 and, back to full strength, they should be too strong for the southerners as they seek to consolidate their second place on the points table.

ASB Premiership

Waitakere United v YoungHeart Manawatu
Fred Taylor Park, 2pm today

Waikato FC v Team Wellington
Fred Jones Park, 12.30pm today