Soccer: Expect unexpected for Chatham Cup final

In one corner, the Central United heavyweights, in the other, the flyweight challengers, Palmerston North Marist.

Rarely in Chatham Cup history has a final appeared to be so one-sided.

But dig just a little and the generous odds being offered on Colin Tuaa's side might be worth a look.

The visitors to North Harbour Stadium for tonight's match have nothing to lose.

In Tuaa the Palmerston North side have a coach with an impressive curriculum vitae but one which, surprisingly, does not include a trip to the final as either coach or player.

They can, however, point to a win over the classy northerners in last year's quarter-finals of the Bluebird-sponsored competition as one reason they should be in at this level for a long time.

Denied by Steven Old's university the chance to fly the All Whites defender back from the US, the Manawatu side nevertheless have some well-performed players.

Hayden Englefield, Yuki Tomatsu, Mark Tesar, Peter Halstead and Ian Sandbrook spring to mind.

Central, on the other hand, have the chance to cap a memorable year for the club and their close cousins, Auckland City, who won the New Zealand Football Championship and went on to play in the Oceania Club Championship.

There is talent across the park in the Kiwitea St-based side but that has not been reflected in their efforts in the northern premier league this season.

The Aaron McFarland-coached side is better than that.

With players like Ross Nicholson, Luiz Del Monte, Glen Eie, Neil Sykes, Jonathan Smith, Paul Urlovic and Dean Tallentire to call on, they will run out as deserved favourites.

But, as last season's final showed, the crowd can again expect the unexpected.

"The team have been thoroughly professional in their approach," said McFarlane.

"It has certainly been a team effort as 27 players have taken part in the run so far."

Only key striker Grant Young will be missing, through injury, for the match, which kicks-off at 7pm and will be controlled by Neil Fox.