KEY POINTS:
There were rare sights and even stranger sounds coming out of Auckland City yesterday as the three-time defending champions overpowered Manawatu to go six points clear atop the NZFC.
City's new Korean age-group international Chan-Goo Yoon marked his signing by scoring with his first touch, with the substitute neatly nodding home Auckland's fourth goal in the 66th minute.
Goalkeeper Ross Nicholson maintained Auckland's horror run of injuries this summer when he limped off with a suspected groin strain after painfully aborting a goal kick. Manawatu managed a stoppage-time consolation goal from Adam Cowan, denying converted midfielder Riki Van Steeden the joy of a clean sheet after he replaced Nicholson in goal.
Nicholson's injury aside, Colin Tuaa could not have been a more contented coach as Auckland took a major step towards reclaiming the minor premiership and the right to host April's grand final.
The result - and more importantly Auckland's second half display - were exactly what Tuaa desired as City eye Wednesday's critical O-League clash against visiting city rivals Waitakere United.
Wednesday's winner is favoured to take out the O-League and qualify for December's Club World Cup in Japan.
Waitakere, who conceded an injury-time goal in their 1-1 draw with Tahitian champions AS Manu Ura in Papeete last night, will start slight favourites after toppling Auckland 2-0 in an NZFC match four weeks ago.
But Tuaa, normally reserved when dealing with the media, couldn't help but get excited about an injury ravaged campaign that finally seems to be coming right for Auckland.
All Whites fullback James Pritchett and Van Steeden both returned from injury yesterday, while Jeff Campbell and Keryn Jordan are on the mend and should feature in the season-end battle for NZFC and O-League glory.
"We were a bit untidy at times [yesterday] but it was a good three points in the end," Tuaa said.
"What's that, 38 points with six matches to go? I won't be happy until we've won six more games but it's a nice position to be in ... it puts the pressure back on them [second-placed Waitakere] in the league. They can't afford to slip up.
"Wednesday's [O-League fixture is] a huge, huge game but we'll definitely be better prepared for Waitakere than we were last time."
Auckland City 4 (K. Lee 4, B. Sigmund 56, P. Urlovic 60, C. Yoon 66) Manawatu 1 (A. Cowan 90 +1). HT: 1-0.
