Soccer: Star sides lock horns again for O-League

Ace Auckland City striker Keryn Jordan will again play off the bench, says coach Paul Posa. Photo / Richard Robinson

Waitakere United v Auckland City
Trusts Stadium, 3pm tomorrow
Referee: Kevin Stoltenkamp (NZ)

The big prize beckons and again it is fitting that the best teams in the country are chasing it.

With the New Zealand Football Championship done and dusted - and with those honours shared - Waitakere United and Auckland City lock horns for the fifth time this summer in a winner-take-all O-League group A decider.

There is no second prize. The winners go on to play the group B winners, Solomon Islands champions Koloale, home and away. The winners of that contest are assured of their place in the Fifa Club World Cup in UAE this year.

The Auckland teams drew 2-2 at Kiwitea St in the group A opener way back on November 2. After that, Waitakere won two normal season NZFC clashes before losing last Sunday's grand final. As ever, there is nothing between the two sides.

City have the advantage of knowing a draw is enough for them to progress.

Coach Paul Posa is not thinking that way.

"Thinking about playing for a draw does not enter our mentality," said Posa. "We are going out to win. They [Waitakere] are not the raging hot favourites they were a week ago but they don't become a bad team overnight.

"There will be a backlash and we will have to wait and see what they come up with and react accordingly. These two teams are getting sick of the sight of each other."

Posa has yet to name his starting line-up but says ace striker Keryn Jordan will again play off the bench. "I anticipate he will not start but could play most or all of the second half," said Posa.

"Each week he is getting a bit stronger and fitter. We are also aware that we might still have a few more games to play in the forthcoming weeks."

United coach Chris Milicich must make changes in his starting XI with Jake Butler missing this one through suspension. He does have All Whites defender Aaron Scott back from international duty and could make a straight swap and play Scott in midfield.

Milicich has hinted he is considering other options with Neil Emblen and Neil Sykes being considered in midfield rather than defence.

Stung by missed opportunities in front of goal a week ago, Milicich is determined his team "will be more robust upfront".

"That means a player like Kayne Vincent of Daniel Kopricvic could get a start," said Milicich.

He also hinted at a likely change at the back, meaning Danny Robinson could step into goal in place of Richard Gillespie, whose howler on Sunday handed City their winning goal.

"Richard was incredibly apologetic after the game," said Milicich.

"But it was his first mistake in 18 months and in that time he has won us a lot of games."

Milicich insists his team will do "absolutely nothing different. Nine times out of 10 we would have won."

But he remains bemused that his team could end the season empty-handed. "A team who have lost six games this season [City] could win everything."

At least he and his team have their fate in their own hands when they run out tomorrow afternoon.

O-LEAGUE GROUP A:

Waitakere United v Auckland City
Trusts Stadium, 3pm tomorrow
Referee: Kevin Stoltenkamp (NZ)

Waitakere (from): Richard Gillespie, Aaron Scott, Danny Hay (c), Neil Emblen, Tim Myers, Neil Sykes, John Chisholm, Hone Fowler, Paul Seaman, Chris Bale, Zane Sole, Jake Mathews, Allan Pearce, Daniel Kopricvic, Kayne Vincent, Benjamin Totori, Roy Krishna, Danny Robinson.

Auckland City (from): Jacob Spoonley, Matt Friel, Greg Uhlmann, Ivan Vicelich (c), Riki van Steeden, James Pritchett, Sam Campbell, Chad Coombes, Alex Feneridis, Liam Mulrooney, Ki-Hyung Lee, Matt Williams, Adam McGeorge, Paul Urlovic, Grant Young, Keryn Jordan, Milos Nikolic, John Fletcher.

The game:
The winner goes through to meet group B winner Koloale (Solomon Islands) for a place in the Fifa Club World Cup. This game of the season will be a battle of nerves and attrition.

The players:
Paul Seaman (Waitakere) and Chad Coombes (Auckland) are hard-working and talented midfielders. But at times any good they do is undone by silly stuff which leads to yellow and red cards. If they last 90 minutes they could prove to be the most influential players. If they don't, who knows?

The result:
Apart from having to trip across town again, City have it all in their favour. They beat Waitakere away last Sunday 2-1 and can take great heart from that. Needing only a draw to progress, the visitors will keep it tight, being well aware United must make the play and chase the win.