Soccer: Waitakere target mission impossible

Waitakere United skipper Jake Butler. Photo / Getty Images.

There are plenty of examples of teams staging terrific comebacks but, in the case of Sunday's second leg of the ASB Premiership semifinal between Auckland City and Waitakere United, this doesn't seem one of them.

There are a number of reasons for this.

Not only do Auckland hold a 4-0 advantage heading into the second leg but they are also at home at Kiwitea St, have lost only once all season and conceded only 12 goals in 15 matches. They are also the only club in history to overcome a two-goal deficit after the first leg, turning around a 3-1 defeat to Manawatu in 2008 to win the second leg 3-0 and the tie 4-3 on aggregate.

"Obviously, the task is pretty monumental but I think all the players and staff are going there with the simple objective of rectifying the performance from last weekend, putting in our best effort and winning the game first and foremost,'' co-coach Paul Temple said. "Who knows what can happen? If you're 2-0 up at halftime then you're in with a chance.''

Waitakere will welcome back former All Whites Chad Coombes from suspension and Adam McGeorge from injury which means the defending champions have a full squad to choose from.

Auckland will also be close to full-strength and their biggest danger is complacency. They dominated last weekend, with Emiliano Tade scoring a double and Ivan Vicelich and Takuya Iwata also on the scoresheet.

"The first thing is to acknowledge and understand that the tie is not over yet and this game of football can change very quickly,'' coach Ramon Tribulietx said. ``If we play a little bit under our maximum we will put ourselves in danger for sure. We have to challenge ourselves somehow to get another win on Sunday.

"I'm sure Waitakere will come back strong and will be very committed to win the game and score some goals.''

Team Wellington hold the upper hand in their semifinal after beating Hawkes Bay 2-1 in Napier last weekend. If they meet Auckland in the final, both teams will qualify for the OFC Champions League (Auckland are guaranteed a spot as minor premiers).