Soccer: Jordan hat-trick is golden

Keryn Jordan scored a hat-trick worthy of any highlights reel as Auckland City returned to the top of the New Zealand Football Championship with a 4-1 demolition of Otago United yesterday.

The former South African marksman was sublime at Kiwitea St in Sandringham as he took his season tally to 14 goals and extended his lead in the golden boot race to six goals over YoungHeart Manawatu's Commins Menapi.

Grant Young gave Auckland the lead when he nodded home Jonathan Perry's cross after 16 minutes for his eighth goal of the season.

But from then on it was the Jordan show with the striker doubling Auckland's lead with a volley from a Young cross in the 24th minute.

Brad Scott pulled one back for Otago just before halftime but Jordan made the points safe with a low drive off the left post in the 54th minute before capping his memorable day with a sizzling 30-metre strike 20 minutes later.

Jordan's deadly finishing was only half the story with silky first touches and clever, pinpoint distribution capping arguably his most complete NZFC performance.

"That's why I signed him," Auckland City coach Allan Jones said of Jordan, who is already just a goal shy of equalling his golden boot-winning tally of 15 goals last season.

"It's not just the fact he scores goals, he's also a very good football player. He's now aiming to play people in and that's crucial. Other clubs, without mentioning names, must be quite sorry they haven't got a player of that quality in their side."

Otago coach Terry Phelan was left to lament a heartless display from his side who remain fourth.

"I'm gobsmacked, to tell you the truth," he said. "You can't give strikers of that quality chances because they'll murder you."

The win lifted Auckland to 27 points, two clear of Manawatu, who have the chance of regaining the lead when they travel to Team Wellington today.

In yesterday's other round 11 match, second-half goals from Andy Barron and Michael White helped Canterbury United continue their good post-Christmas run with a 2-0 victory at Hawke's Bay United. Canterbury are third on 21 points.

Meanwhile, Wellington will have a new captain, a new midfielder and a new shape when they host league leaders YoungHeart Manawatu at Newtown Park today.

After conceding 12 goals in their last two games, Wellington have axed inaugural captain Andy Hedge with All Whites midfielder Raf De Gregorio taking the skipper's armband.

De Gregorio will have a new midfield partner in Michael Eager with Matt Adams moving back to fill Hedge's role at centre back in a 4-4-2 formation.

In today's other match, Waitakere United have All Whites defender Sean Douglas back after a lengthy injury-layoff for their match at Waikato FC.

Both matches kick off at 4pm.


NZFC
Auckland City 4
Otago Utd 1

- HERALD ON SUNDAY