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KEY POINTS:
Waitakere United go into tonight's clash with visiting Kuwait keen to add to the international scalp they have already picked up this summer.
Chris Milicich's United beat Chinese professional outfit Zhejiang Greentown FC 3-1 in Ningbo en route to the Fifa Club World Cup in Japan and are looking to extend their record on the international stage at Allen Hill Stadium.
In beating Auckland City 2-0 on Tuesday, the Kuwaitis, preparing for next week's crucial Asian Cup square-off with the Socceroos in Canberra, showed enough to suggest they will be a real test for Waitakere.
Strikers Fahad Al-Rashidi and Bader Almutwa showed out as useful performers and their battle with returning Waitakere captain Danny Hay promises plenty.
Hay, on the comeback after a long injury lay-off, will play tonight but not in Sunday's NZFC game against YoungHeart Manawatu.
Exciting Fijian striker Roy Krishna will also play tonight as he is being rested on Sunday as a precaution as he is sitting on three yellow cards. Jake Butler, suspended for Sunday's game, will play tonight as will All Whites Allan Pearce and Aaron Scott who will be under the watchful eye of All Whites assistant coach Brian Turner.
Otago United goalkeeper Liam Little, another Turner will be watching, will share those duties with Danny Robinson.
Hone Fowler and Jeff Campbell who missed Sunday's Dunedin trip through illness are expected to play but Chris Bale, who was to have been rested on Sunday before being called back in, will miss tonight's game but play in Palmerston North.
Tonight's game, being played at the home of North Shore United, the country's oldest soccer club, will welcome back two of their favourite sons with Adrian Elrick and Duncan Cole, members of the team who played that much talked about match with Kuwait at Mt Smart during the 1981-82 World Cup campaign, among the special guests.
"The Kuwait match is a great opportunity for us to give players more game time as we head into the important O-League and NZFC play-offs," said club chairman Rex Dawkins.
"With players coming back from injury and illness, it has come just at the right time."
