Soccer: Waitakere ruthless ahead of Tahiti trip

Waitakere United's Allan Pearce. Photo / Richard Robinson

A crushing 6-1 win over YoungHeart Manawatu has Waitakere United within sight of a fourth premiership crown but they have more pressing concerns as they prepare to head to Tahiti for this week's crucial O-League encounter.

Given their handy advantage on goal difference, Waitakere need to win just one of their remaining three ASB Premiership games to wrap up a title race which now has a familiar look about it.

Come-from-behind wins for Team Wellington and Canterbury United and three unanswered second-half goals for Auckland City over Otago United yesterday, have the big four in the top spots on the table.

Goals from Dakota Lucas and golden boot leader Allan Pearce put Waitakere in control and they stormed home with four second-half goals to beat Manawatu at Fred Taylor Park.

Inspirational All Whites midfielder David Mulligan also scored a brace for City in their 3-0 win at Tahuna Park while Russell Kamo and Emiliano Tade also bagged a couple in helping Canterbury United and Team Wellington to seal their victories.

Barring disasters, Waitakere, Auckland City and Wellington have sealed their semifinal spots while Canterbury need to pick up points from their next two outings against Waikato FC (away) and Otago (home) to ensure their top-four finish ahead of Hawkes Bay.

Waitakere were never in danger of losing to Manawatu but missed as many chances as they managed to put away.

"It was good," said Waitakere coach Neil Emblen.

"Barring 15 minutes at the end of the first half, I was happy with the way we played. The goal they scored changed their mindset but I felt in the last 20 minutes we played the kind of football we are capable of.

"It was important to get the points but we now have to focus on the trip to Tahiti."

Manawatu coach Bob Sova said he felt the difference between the two sides was the manner in which the home side took their chances.

"We did not convert ours," said Sova. "They are clinical and play open, attractive football.

"Like us, they have some good young lads but the difference for us is that we are young and raw while they, in the end, were too good and too quick. They play high-risk football at times and give away the midfield which could cost them against teams like Auckland City."

After turning around 0-0 at Tahuna Park, City turned up the heat in the second half.

He slotted his second seven minutes later from the penalty spot and Stu Kelly, who toiled endlessly in midfield, was finally rewarded with a well-taken goal 15 minutes from time.

After Jarrod Smith had given Hawkes Bay the earlier lead at Park Island, Kamo hit back with two in five minutes to earn Canterbury their desperately needed win - all inside the opening 32 minutes.