Soccer: Waitakere hit-out

Waitakere United fans get their first look at a likely squad for the new-look national championship at Bill McKinlay Park this afternoon.

United are hosting Fijian side Ba in their first hit-out ahead of the October 16-17 first round of the ASB Premiership but will be without coach Neil Emblen, who is in England.

Otherwise it appears it will be pretty much business as usual for the West Aucklanders, who have lost a couple of players including Brent Fisher who is in Melbourne. Roy Krishna has yet to return from Fiji.

Auckland City, who missed out on their chance for a return trip to Fifa's Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi in December, will be giving a helping hand to this year's O-League champions Hekari United as they bid to emulate City in winning on the international stage.

The Papua New Guineans are in Auckland as they chase meaningful games in preparing for their breakthrough trip as the first non-New Zealand or Australian club side to play in the tournament.

Tomorrow the attention switches to the 17th Women's Knockout Cup final as Three Kings United face yet-to-win Claudelands Rovers at North Harbour Stadium.

The core of the Claudelands team face a tough turnaround after returning this week from the Fifa Under-17 Women's World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago.

While Young Ferns Jessie Mathews and Stephanie Skilton had the same trip, the likelihood is that the depth available to coach Andrew Clay will see them start from the bench.

The schedule

Oceania friendlies

TODAY
* Auckland City v Hekari United (PNG)
Auckland Grammar School
Noon
* Waitakere United v Ba (Fiji)
Bill McKinlay Park
3pm

MONDAY
Waikato FC v Hekari United
Bill McKinlay Park
7pm

Women's KO Cup final

TOMORROW
Three Kings v Claudelands Rovers
North Harbour Stadium
2pm (free admission)