Soccer: No-frills style gives Marist chance to defy odds

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Palmerston North Marist come north as the odd men out in this weekend's Chatham Cup semifinals but don't bother trying to tell coach Colin Tuaa and his players that.

Between them, the last four in this year's Bluebird-sponsored Cup contest can boast 10 cup triumphs. The Manawatu side is the only survivor not figuring in that tally.

The odds suggest their chances in tomorrow's tie with three-time winners Waitakere City are in the long shot category. On closer inspection that may be not so.

They saw off hot favourites Central United in the last round. A repeat of the same no-frills approach at Fred Taylor Park would have them in with a chance.

Tuaa has a useful squad including three Japanese players.

In Sanjay Singh, Stu Riddle, Peter Halsted and goalkeeper Hayden Englefield he can also call on some worthy performers.

City, winners three times in as many years but not seen in the winner's circle since their last win eight years ago, needed a golden goal to beat East Coast Bays in the quarter-finals.

They have some useful players but the senior "pros" - Michael Utting, Mauro Donoso and Geoff Gray - will need to step up and hope the youngsters like Jason Rowley, Craig Wylie, Hone Fowler and Kris Bright follow their lead.

The condition of the pitch as much as the form of the two teams will be a big factor in this afternoon's semifinal at Madills Farm.

Eastern Suburbs, the one-time glamour club who have had their name engraved on the coveted trophy five times - the first in 1951, the last 18 years later - might be poised for a return to those glory days and with it the chance to join North Shore United and Christchurch United as six-time winners.

But first Billy Harris and his team must get past Miramar Rangers.

Miramar coach Dave Farrington has all kinds of headaches in putting out a side for today's match. Tariq Imam is suspended and Rupert Ryan and Allen Chote are overseas.

The visitors will need top games from midfield general Tim Butterfield, strikers Graham and Bryan Little and defensive linchpin Andy Hedge if they are to challenge Suburbs, who will be without injured Mark Weber but are otherwise at full strength.

Harris can call on former All Whites Jonathan Perry, Sean Douglas, Riki van Steeden and Graham Pearce but, like Palmerston North Marist, the odds are against them.

An all-Auckland final in the Uncle Tobys Women's Knockout Cup final looks probable.

Lynn Avon, defending champions and four-time winners, should overcome any disadvantage of being away to Massey University in Palmerston North and Three Kings, three-time cupholders, should be too strong in the first of tomorrow's semifinals against Seatoun at Keith Hay Park.

CHATHAM CUP SEMIFINALS

TODAY: Eastern Suburbs v Miramar Rangers, Madills Farm, Kohimaramara, 2pm.

TOMORROW: Waitakere City v Palmerston North Marist, Fred Taylor Park, Whenuapi, 2pm.

WOMEN'S KO CUP SEMIFINALS

TOMORROW: Three Kings v Seatoun, Keith Hay Park, Mt Roskill, 11am; Massey University v Lynn Avon United, Massey University, Palmerston North, 2pm.