KEY POINTS:
On a bigger stage than Fred Taylor Park, it could be touted as a promoter's dream.
Even so, those making the trek west tomorrow will still be served the most mouth-watering clash of the New Zealand Football Championship season as Waitakere United attempt, yet again, to beat the hoodoo arch rivals Auckland City have enjoyed since day one.
In 12 championship meetings, City have won nine. Two games, including the 1-1 draw earlier this season, have been drawn. One was lost, though in legal corridors rather than on the pitch. That, not surprisingly, still rankles at City HQ.
The stakes could not be higher. Uncertainty over O-League representation - with New Zealand Football keen to involve the Wellington Phoenix - adds to the mix.
So does bragging rights at the top of the table at the season's mid-point.
More frisson comes from the fact that the golden boot race is headed by two players: City's Brian Little and Waitakere's Benjamin Totori.
With their record-breaking 9-1 romp over Canterbury United last time out, Waitakere chalked up their sixth straight victory. One more and they would join City as the only teams to win seven in a row. To do that, Waitakere would need to score at least one goal. No team has done that against Colin Tuaa's City's side in 344 minutes since Wiremu Patrick scored for Team Wellington in the seventh round 1-1 draw at Newtown Park in mid-December.
All heady stuff but quickly put into perspective by United coach Chris Milicich.
"At the end of the day, it is just another game with three points at stake," said Milicich. "I don't want to get tied up in the emotion of it. Those three points are all that matter.
"The boys have been doing their job. They have not backed off anyone. I expect nothing different in this one."
Aware Little and former internationals Paul Urlovic and Riki Van Steeden will return for City, Milicich does not take too much from what he saw in City's 3-0 home win over Otago United last Saturday.
"We too will have changes," said Milicich who will almost certainly opt to play four at the back to counter the threat City pose with their attacking width. "To be successful at this level it comes down to the boys at the back doing their job and building from there."
While Milicich has goal-grabbers galore, getting the right mix is the key as he seeks the best from Totori, fellow Solomon Islander Commins Menapi, Daniel Kopricvic and golden boot contender Allan Pearce. "Benjamin is interesting to play with. It has taken time for the others to find their feet," said Milicich.
"But we have to give as many players as possible game time as we will lose some when the Olympic qualifiers come around."
While the focus will be on Fred Taylor Park, there is interest elsewhere.
The first goal scored, presumably, in the game at Waikato Stadium between Waikato FC and Canterbury United, will be the 1000th in regular season NZFC matches. History suggests the visitors, with five wins from five in the Waikato and seven from 10 overall, should win. Reality this season is something else.
Canterbury can't buy a win this season.
None-from-10 (just two draws) is not good reading. and so depleted are their stocks, coach Danny Halligan will be on the bench.
In Napier, Hawkes Bay United will attempt to keep their play-off hopes alive but will need a win over perennial rivals and championship challengers Team Wellington to do it.
Bay have home advantage and a last-start 3-1 away win over YoungHeart Manawatu to give them some hope, but Stu Jacobs' team will welcome back Adam Birch from suspension to bolster their chances even if they are likely to be without Graham Little who is under a cloud with suspected concussion.
All in all, it promises to be a Saturday bonanza as the soccer season kicks past the halfway point.
