Soccer: Rocky patch no cause for concern, says Milicich

Waitakere United coach Chris Milicich is warning opposing teams not to read too much into recent results as the New Zealand Football Championship hits the business end of the season.

At first glance, Waitakere's recent record is not overly convincing - a 1-2 loss to Waikato FC, a 1-0 win over Hawkes Bay, a 3-2 win over Otago, a 2-2 draw with YoungHeart Manawatu and a 3-2 O-League win over Port Vila Sharks - but a deeper search tells a different story.

All matches were played away and with the win over Hawkes Bay, Waitakere wrapped up the NZFC and went on to win by a record eight points.

Now at semifinal time - and under the new home and away format - there is no room for complacency.

On that basis, Milicich is not too concerned.

"We don't get beaten," said Milicich simply in looking ahead to today's semifinal against Team Wellington at Newtown Park. "We are a very difficult team to beat."

Their season-long record backs such claims. The loss to Waikato was one of only two this season, the other to Adelaide United at the Fifa World Club Cup in Tokyo in December.

There have been suggestions that the travelling has taken its toll and that United have not played their better football in recent outings, and while the pressure, apart from the game in Vanuatu last Saturday, has been off, there is still a need for a champion side to play champion football.

Tomorrow's second semifinal in Palmerston North offers something different.

Where Waitakere appear to have flattened out, long-time rivals Auckland City have left their best for last.

Since the beginning of February they have won four and drawn one, scoring 17 goals and conceding just one - in the 8-1 win over Port Vila Sharks.

Included in those results are a 3-0 home win and a scoreless away

draw with tomorrow's opponent YoungHeart Manawatu.

Therein lies the biggest poser for City coach Paul Posa.

In those latest outings, former All Whites goalkeeper Ross Nicholson has been outstanding, giving up just that one goal - and that an own goal scored by teammate Alex Feneridis.

But with Jacob Spoonley back after trials in Europe, Posa must decide between the pair.

The second legs will be played in Auckland next weekend with away goals counting double in the event of ties.