KEY POINTS:
The loser in tonight's crunch O-League qualifier between Auckland City and Waitakere United can almost certainly wave their chances of chasing another end-of-year big payout goodbye.
The pressure is on the visiting United side. Following their 1-1 draw in Tahiti on Saturday, they must take four points from the two matches with their cross-town rivals to remain in contention.
Aware of that, City coach Colin Tuaa knows he can slam the door with a win.
"They [Waitakere] have no room for error," said Tuaa.
"They are under pressure for sure and having travelled back from Tahiti only adds to that. Motivation is no problem. A win for us would end their chances."
City go into the game at their adopted home ground at Croatian Cultural Society buoyed by a solid 4-1 win at the same venue over YoungHeart Manawatu on Saturday.
Tuaa's only injury concern is with goalkeeper Ross Nicholson, who left that game nursing a groin strain. It was thought it would keep him out of tonight's game but he trained lightly on Monday and hopes to play.
"Having three games in a week is a big ask but it helps in having them all at home," said Tuaa. "It should be a good game."
Waitakere coach Chris Milicich will have to make at least one change to his starting line-up after losing Jason Rowley to a serious ankle injury in the draw with AS Manu Ura on Saturday. He will go with Darren Bazeley in midfield in place of Rowley in what should otherwise be an unchanged line-up from the one which dominated for long periods in Papeete but failed to turn possession and golden opportunities into goals.
"We are well aware of the importance of this one," said Milicich, who would like to go all the way by winning the O-League and then return with his team to December's Fifa Club World Cup in Japan. "Whoever loses is pretty much gone."
If tonight's game is drawn, the group will be decided at Fred Taylor Park on April 2.
In their two New Zealand Football Championship matches this season, the honours were shared 1-1 at tonight's venue in November, while Waitakere won 2-0 last month at home - their only on-field win over City.
