Soccer: Death by pressure as barren run continues

They like their goals in Auckland. With three of the top six leading scorers in the league, you would have thought it unlikely that the nets of Kiwitea St would remain as empty as they did in Otago's 1-0 win yesterday.

But without the services of the injured Keryn Jordan, who heads the charge for the golden boot, the pressure was on.

Two defeats in the previous three weeks had the league leaders casting nervous glances over their shoulders at the rapidly encroaching Youngheart Manawatu. A win was needed, and expected, if truth be told. They needed insurance against Manawatu leapfrogging them today.

The last time Otago visited the City of Sails they were put to the sword by a Jordan-lead masterclass in which he grabbed a hat-trick. How happy Otago coach Terry Phelan must have been to see that the former South African international's name was not on the team sheet.

The southerners started the brighter of the two teams, though any real opportunities were somewhat limited by their long-ball approach to the game. Auckland had two chances early on from dangerously placed set-pieces but failed to capitalise on either one.

Paul Vodanovich lashed a shot the wrong side of goal from the resulting clearance to heighten expectations.

Half an hour in and the game was desperately in need of a goal.

Still the set pieces came for Auckland and still they continued to do little with them.

Otago's lone striker, Francesco Caruso, failed to live up to his flamboyant name. At the other end, Grant Young had a shot deflected on to the post by the Otago keeper. A double save from Ross Nicholson, just before the halftime whistle, saved Auckland's embarrassment.

Things could have brightened up for Auckland at the start of the second half when Jonathan Parry was brought down just outside the Otago box. Again Neil Sykes took the direct approach with a hard driven ball that was met by the head of Otago's Andy Coburn, leaving him with a severe headache. He wasn't the only one.

Auckland coach Allan Jones must have been reaching for the aspirin as his side continued to lack that finishing touch.

Young excited and frustrated in equal measure as he made a penetrating run, putting himself one-on-one with the keeper only to shoot into side-netting.

Auckland swapped a striker for a striker, with Reg Davani coming on for Paul Urlovic. It made little difference. A game they were expected to win with ease was looking decidedly dangerous.

Auckland appeared to be feeling the pressure and, when the ball was deflected in from Caruso following an aerial challenge with Nicholson in the 74th minute, that pressure was only intensified.

An autopsy of the game is likely to record a verdict of death by pressure, inflicted as much by themselves as by Otago.

Jones will surely be awaiting news of Keryn Jordan's recovery with added importance following this run of defeats.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY