Soccer: Strikers will carry hopes of footy fans

Emiliano Tade and Hamish Watson will have huge targets on their backs as four-time winners Central United and finals debutantes Lower Hutt City square-off in tomorrow's 85th ASB Chatham Cup showdown.

The in-form strikers will carry the hopes of the Central and City fans respectively at Newtown Park for good reason.

Argentine-born Tade began his New Zealand career at Lower Hutt, before playing for Team Wellington in the 2010-11 ASB Premiership and then moving north to join Auckland City and Central United.

This season's Chatham Cup has been a standout for the 24-year-old.

He has scored in all matches Central have played en route to the final including a hat-trick in the 6-0 semifinal romp over Miramar Rangers. His tally of 10 goals, of Central's 18, in those five outings will not have gone unnoticed by Lower Hutt coach Scot Brendan McIntyre.

In Watson, City have their own goal-grabber to lead their attack. He too has scored a goal-a-game in five of their six games missing out only in the second round 3-0 win at Taradale.

Defensively both clubs have also fashioned a decent record.

Central conceded their only two goals on the short trip to play Three Kings United in round four where they won 3-2. City won by the same score in their quarter-final trip to play Birkenhead United and conceded their only other goal in the extra time 2-1 win over Petone in round one.

While Tade is certain to play, an injury cloud hovers over Paul Urlovic who will be keener than most to claim a winner's medal. The golden boot in this season's Lotto Northern Premier League, Urlovic has won all four cup finals he has played in.

A key player at the Kiwitea St-based club for years as well as being an All White, Urlovic will join Ron Armstrong and Lawrence Fitzpatrick as a five-time winner - one behind Steve Sumner's six if Central celebrate their seventh final appearance as winners. For Central captain Ivan Vicelich it is also his chance to add to an outstanding record.

Playing for Waitakere City, Vicelich won the Jack Batty Memorial Trophy as player of the day in 1994 and repeated that effort three years later as Central claimed the Chatham Cup for the first time.

Victory for the warmly-favoured Central side would cap their 50th jubilee celebrations nicely.

While they have "been there, done that," their opponents, in their 91st season, are venturing into uncharted territory in their first final appearance.

"The players are looking forward to it," said McIntyre. "They're a little apprehensive as a young squad but we're trying to keep their feet on the ground and prepare them as best we can so they enjoy the day.

"They are young in years and young in terms of experience. Ivan Vicelich is probably old enough to be some of the boys' dad!"

In the curtainraiser Three Kings United will chase their fourth ASB Women's Knockout Cup triumph against a Massey University team.

ASB Chatham Cup Final

Lower Hutt City v Central United

Newtown Park

Tomorrow 2.30pm

ASB Women's Knockout Cup final

Three Kings United v Massey University

Newtown Park

Tomorrow 11am