KEY POINTS:
Blessed with attacking riches - 12 goals in their last five outings - Auckland City coach Paul Marshall is determined there will be no letting up at the business end of the New Zealand Football Championship season.
"It is all shaping up quite nicely," said Marshall as he prepared for a replay of last season's grand final against Canterbury United at Kiwitea St this afternoon.
For the first time in some weeks, Marshall has a full-strength squad to select from, but he will wait until the completion of pre-match fitness tests before naming his starting XI. Jonathan Smith's return to his best form adds to the selection conundrum.
"Paul Urlovic scored again last week and Grant Young is still scoring regularly. Keryn Jordan has trained well so it is going to be [a hard] call I will have to make," said Marshall.
In earlier matches with Danny Halligan's Canterbury this season, the points were shared in a 1-1 draw at English Park, while City won the return at Kiwitea St in January 2-0.
Now, out of playoff contention and with key players missing, Canterbury have little to play for, but Marshall is not taking them lightly.
"Every team can be dangerous. In my time with the team I have quickly come to realise all NZFC games are tough."
The remaining games appear reasonably one-sided but that has rarely been the case this season.
Leaders Waitakere United can assure themselves of the minor premiership with a win over Hawkes Bay United at Park Island.
Waitakere captain Danny Hay is unavailable for this one, but with in-form George Suri stepping up to lead the defence and Rupesh Puna approaching the form that won him international selection, United are well served at the back.
In other round 20 action, Otago United host Team Wellington today and YoungHeart Manawatu will look to bounce back from their loss to Waitakere with a win at home over Waikato tomorrow.
