Soccer: Vicelich takes on City armband

Ivan Vivelich (L) captains Auckland City this weekend after a week of plaudits. File Photo / NZ Herald

Squad depth will be key to Auckland City and Waitakere United's chances in round six ASB Premiership matches today.

Coaches Aaron McFarland and Ramon Tribulietx (City) and Neil Emblen (United) face some soul-searching before coming up with what they hope will be winning combinations after losing players to injury, suspension and for other reasons.

City will be without Sam Campbell (holiday in South Africa), Ian Hogg and Alex Feneridis (suspension) and David Mulligan to injury. But Ivan Vicelich returns after serving the mandatory one-month stand-down after returning from his professional contract in China, Luis Corrales is ready for game time in the home match with YoungHeart Manawatu and Daniel Kopricvic is back sooner than expected.

Vicelich, Auckland Sportsman of the Year and acclaimed for Overall Sporting Excellence at the Sport Auckland awards this week, will wear the captain's armband.

"We have decided it is best not to involve David Mulligan this weekend," said McFarland. "He is still not 100 per cent but Luis Corrales is ready to play. He might start but I'm not sure if he is ready for 90 minutes."

McFarland said he and Tribulietx had targeted this as a game to return to winning form.

"Manawatu have scored only one goal and are at the bottom of the table," said McFarland.

"We want six points from our two games before Christmas."

McFarland admits that the visitors are capable of posing problems with Michael White and former City flyer Jason Hayne players with game-breaking abilities.

Emblem too faces a juggling act which may lead to more game time for himself. He has lost veteran defender Neil Sykes with a recurrence of his calf injury. He joins midfielder Martin Bullock out until after Christmas. Defender Jason Rowley faces the prospect of an ankle operation and is out of today's away game with Waikato FC.

Also missing at Fred Jones Park will be striker Ryan de Vries (on a family holiday in South Africa) and Zane Sole and Mike Gwyther - stood down by the club for "disciplinary reasons". "It will be a test of our resources for sure. I trust the youngsters and this is their chance," said Emblen. "I'm confident they can do a job.

"I'm still mulling over what formation we will play and which players will play where.

"There is no rocket science in what we have to do better than we did in Noumea last week. Not make mistakes and be lethal in front of goal. Simple as that.

"I won't be easy. For some weeks I have seen this game as a potential banana skin."

With a five-from-five start to their season, Waitakere are well-placed but Waikato have played well under new coach Willy Gerdsen and will fancy their chances of at least a point.

Tomorrow both clubs will play in ASB Youth League semifinals with Waitakere to host Team Wellington while Waikato travel to play Canterbury United.

In the meantime, next week's ASB Challenge between Waitakere and Wellington Phoenix A has been brought forward a day and will be played at Fred Taylor Park on Wednesday at 6pm.

ASB premiership

Auckland City v YoungHeart Manawatu
* Kiwitea St, 2pm today
* Referee: Darren Sunborn

Waikato FC v Waitakere united
* Fred Jones Park, 3pm today
* Referee: Matt Conger

ASB youth league

Waitakere United v Team Wellington
* Fred Taylor Park, 1pm tomorrow