KEY POINTS:
Chris Milicich puts his Waitakere United side against Tahiti's AS Manu Ura in this afternoon's O-League first leg clash with only one thing in mind. Winning.
Despite group A rivals Auckland City taking a flyer in beating the French Polynesian champions 6-0 in Saturday's competition opener, Milicich refuses to think about a similar goal haul.
"I'm not in the slightest bit worried about goal difference," said Milicich who returns to the club he coached in the inaugural New Zealand Football Championship before being replaced for the past two seasons by Steve Cain.
"My objective is simply to win the game. You can't get too cute in situations like this. A 0-0 draw - and an away point - would suit them. We have to make sure they don't get it."
Today's game marks the start of a busy few months for the West Auckland club. Forced away from their regular home at Henderson's Trust Stadium while renovations continue and having to play at the revamped Fred Taylor Park, United have their sights set on the stars.
Milicich already has to contemplate the naming of a trimmed-down 23-man squad to play at least the preliminary round of the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December (as winners of last season's O-League) and perhaps another game or two there.
He must also be ready for the opening game of the fourth NZFC - a home game against Team Wellington at the same ground on Saturday.
It is this frantic start to the season which has forced Milicich's hand in naming today's starting XI.
He has opted to start Solomon Island striker Commins Menapi and leave last season's NZFC golden boot, and new signing, Benjamin Totori on the bench but with the promise of some game time for him today and a start on Saturday as Menapi sits out a one-match suspension.
For the visitors, today's game is another tough ask.
Not only do they have to put that first-up drubbing behind them, they must do it without their captain and first-choice goalkeeper Daniel Tapeta who was sent off against Auckland City and leaves coach Teivtau Pito with only Jonathan Torohia for that role today. Interestingly, Tapeta and Torohia are regarded as the top two goalkeepers in the Tahitian side.
For a time, the visitors showed something against City but once they were reduced to 10 men any game plan and fight was gone.
"For the first 20 minutes or so, they showed a bit," said Milicich. "But once they lost a striker and had to improvise, they were up against it."
There will be some interest in the new-look Waitakere side.
They have picked up some useful players including Briton Chris Bale who will play a holding midfield role alongside Jake Butler with former Auckland City captain Neil Sykes and United regular Allan Pearce out wide. Menapi will be joined up front - in a 4-4-2 formation - by Daniel Kopricvic. Danny Hay, back to full fitness, will lead the side from central defence. He will be joined at the back by another former international (and former City player) Jonathan Perry, Shane Pascoe and Matt Cuneen.
Simon Eaddy takes the goalkeeping berth with former City player Richard Gillespie now the back-up following Michael Uttings return to YoungHeart Manawatu.
Waiting in the wings are new assistant coach/player Neil Emblen and his former New Zealand Knights teammate Darren Bazeley. Both are likely to see playing time this week.
