Soccer: It's all in the preparation

The importance of pre-season preparation will emerge over the next few days when teams complete three rounds in the national soccer league.

With the second round being played today, teams would have endured three games in a week by the end of the weekend.

The feature clashes of Waitangi Day are between first-round winners Manawatu and Miramar at Palmerston North, and Central at home to Napier City Rovers - both pre-season favourites.

Manawatu coach Colin Tuaa said: "It doesn't get easier, but the first week will give us a good indication of whether we can be competitive against the top teams."

Central United coach Billy Harris said Napier, the Chatham Cup holders, should not be taken lightly, despite their first-up loss.

North Shore coach Mick Byrne cannot afford another slow start if his team want to claim three points against Caversham. Last weekend they drew 2-2 at East Auckland.

Dunedin Technical are at home to East Auckland today. The visitors will be without leading player and assistant coach Sean Douglas for some time as he battles a hamstring injury. The fifth match sees Canterbury at home to Tauranga.

- NZPA