Soccer: Waitakere still chasing fifth title

APNZ

7 Feb, 2014 03:40 AM3 mins to read

Waitakere United skipper Jake Butler. Photo / Getty Images.

Waitakere United aren't used to seeing too many teams ahead of them on the ASB Premiership table so there was a fair degree of anxiety around Fred Taylor Park three weeks ago as they slumped to their worst league position in nine years.

Waitakere are still not in a position of strength with three games left in the regular season but they have at least given themselves a chance of securing a fifth straight title after consecutive wins, including last weekend's crucial 1-0 win over a weakened Auckland City.

They sit fourth on the table - they were fifth three weeks ago - and a win over Hawkes Bay United on Sunday will see them overtake the Bay and maintain much-needed momentum. The battle for the top four, however, is so tight defeat could see them slip back to fifth again.

They round out their regular season with a visit to WaiBOP United before hosting second-placed Canterbury United.

Captain Jake Butler is hopeful they are peaking at the right time and another title is not unrealistic.

"It feels as though we are a stronger unit now and hopefully we haven't left our run too late,'' the All Whites midfielder said. ``I think our chances are good but, as we have seen this season, anyone can beat anyone on their day so it will be tough. But we definitely have the quality to win.''

They will be without player-coach Brian Shelley, who is suspended after being sent off against Auckland, with New Zealand under-20 international Alec Solomons the most likely candidate to fill in at the centre of defence.

Waitakere will be interested in the result of Canterbury United's game at Team Wellington, who are on the same points as the west Aucklanders but have an inferior points differential.

Canterbury are unbeaten in their last five games, thanks largely to their miserly defence which has conceded just eight goals in 11 games as well as Aaron Clapham's seven goals which gives the All Whites midfielder a one-goal lead in the race for the golden boot.

Auckland City should claim all three points against bottom-placed Wanderers SC, which should guarantee them a place in the home-and-away semifinals and put them in a strong position to win the minor premiership and guarantee them a spot in the OFC Champions League.

It will be their last home game before the playoffs and could see the debut of their new import Joao Moreira who replaces Cristobal Marquez who was brought in for the Club World Cup.

The Portuguese striker has most recently been playing in Singapore but has played for Valencia B and Rayo Vallecano in Spain.