Soccer: Wellington work into position

On paper, Team Wellington have the draw over the next two weeks to force their way into play-off contention.

But coach Mick Waitt remains cautious, insisting there are no easy games in the New Zealand Football Championship.

Encouraged by their first win on the road this season - a deserved 2-1 result against Otago in Dunedin - the Capital side head north to play luckless Hawkes Bay United tomorrow.

"Even that won't be easy," said Waitt. "But, we have been playing good football - apart from the horror 6-0 loss to Waikato - and always knew we would pick up points. It wasn't a major concern that we hadn't won away.

"Last week's results closed it up, and we now have the opportunity against Hawkes Bay and Waikato to stake a claim for a place in the top five."

Waitt will be without Graham Little (suspended) and still has influential midfielder Raf de Gregorio out with a knee injury.

"You have to expect these things during a long season," said Waitt. "Up front we have done well. Between them Graham and Bryan Little and David Johnston have scored 18 goals. Graham is playing as well as I have ever seen him. I consider our strikeforce to be as good as any in the league.

"Overall I don't think the standard of the league is a lot different than last year. Even Auckland City are beatable if you can stop Keryn Jordan. The way he is playing shows he is a class above the standard of this league, but one player can't do it all."

Waitt said he had been encouraged by the defensive effort last week.

"We did not concede until the 88th minute, and I don't think that was just down to the back four. It has to be a team effort. In a league of this standard you can't defend with 10 - it has to involve all 11 players."

Defence again promises to be an issue in this game. Between them, Team Wellington (38) and Hawkes Bay (35) have conceded 73 goals. They have the worst defensive records in the league.

Against Waitakere United last Sunday, Hawkes Bay did well enough for long periods but were stung by a couple of moments of inattention that cost them goals and ultimately points.

Waitt will again rely heavily on his younger players with 15-year-old Costa Barbarouses set to have his second start in as many games.

"We have been well-served by our young players like Sam Peters [16], Dan Keat [18] and Michael Eager [16]. They haven't let us down," said Waitt. "Arguably they have been some of our best players. And, I think there are plenty more of their age around the country who deserve a chance."

Hawkes Bay will be without injured midfielder Shaun Easthope, who was lucky to escape a red card against Waitakere, but have former age-group international Ross Goodacre back from the United States to go on the bench.

The 15th round kicks-off in Dunedin tonight with Otago, without a win in their last five outings, at home to YoungHeart Manawatu, who would join Auckland City at the top of the table if they win. With only three of a possible 15 points in their last five home games, Otago will struggle against a Manawatu side brimming with confidence.

In Sunday's games Auckland City, without the injured Jordan, are at home to Waitakere United and Canterbury return home to play Waikato FC. 
 

Golden boot

18: Keryn Jordan (Auckland City). 11: Commins Menapi (YoungHeart Manawatu). 9: Brent Fisher (Canterbury United). 8: Bryan Little (Team Wellington), Grant Young (Auckland City). 7: Campbell Banks (YoungHeart Manawatu), Richie Cardozo (Waitakere City). 6: Graham Little (Team Wellington), Blair Scoullar (Otago United), Stuart Hogg (Waitakere United, Waikato FC).


Otago Utd v YoungHeart Manawatu

Caledonian Ground, Dunedin, today 6pm.
Referee: Michael Brock

* Otago Utd
Lutz Pfannenstiel
Michael Abbott
Tim Horner
Andy Boyens
Ian Mandry
Terry Boylan
Ryley Webster
Andy Coburn
Brad Scott
Blair Scoullar
Francesco Caruso

Substitutes
Will Morunga
Michael Eisenhut
Craig Dale
Uliks Kotrri
John Chisholm
Michael Cunningham
Robbie Deeley

* YoungHeart Manawatu
Hayden Englefield
Jared McElhannan
Nathan Hill
Campbell Banks
Commins Menapi
Ian Sandbrook
Dalin Wilson
Benjamin Totori
Ian Robinson
Alick Maemae
Nathan Cooksley

Substitutes
Mark Tesar
Scott Robson
Adam Cowan
Nick Roydhouse
Jordan Buchanan

Odds $2.45 Draw $3.20 Odds $2.60

Prediction: Otago are finding it hard even at the Cally - three home games on the trot without a win. This will be no easier as Manawatu are now within a sniff of top spot. Expect the visitors to take the points and then sit back and watch the rest of the weekend's action. 


Hawkes Bay Utd v Team Wellington

Park Island, Napier Tomorrow 4pm
Referee: Ian Walker

* Hawkes Bay Utd
Scott Dunn
Wayne Atkins
Graham Fyfe
Jason Hayne
Dean Johnston
Niklas Sandor
Shaun Easthope
Nick Lucas
Sam Jenkins
Willie Stanger
Jamie Farrington

Substitutes (from)
Mitch O'Brien
Nathan Holten
David Geary
Martin Akers
Chris Greatholder
Ben Murphy
Lee Mudd
Robbie Hunter
Ross Goodacre

* Team Wellington
Dylan Hall
Steven Gulley
Karl Whalen
Michael Smith
Adam Birch
Matt Adams
David Johnston
Wiremu Patrick
Bryan Little
Peter Halstead
Costa Barbarouses

Substitutes
Nick Tarrant
Michael Eager
Jamie Duncan
Allen Chote
Geoff Brown

Odds $4.85 Draw $3.40 Odds $1.65

Prediction: The Bay showed something at times against Waitakere but lacked the killer blow. Home advantage a help here but probably not enough although Team Wellington are hardly renowned for winning them in a row. 


Canterbury United v Waikato FC

English Park, Christchurch Sunday 3pm
Referee: Michael Hester

* Canterbury United
James Bannatyne
Daniel Terris
Ben Sigmund
Michael Lilley
Chris Morris
Glen Collins
Brent Fisher
Daniel Moir
Justin Lucas
Stuart Kelly
Andrew Barron

Substitutes
Brian Watret
Nic Tither
James Reichweinn
Michael White
Jordan Ashton


*Waikato
Tamati Williams
Brent Mayhew
LJ Pijnenburg
Aaron Scott
Paul Caton
Danny Donegan
Andrew Foskett
Jakub Sinkora
Nathan Robertson
Colin Gardyne
Michael Gwyther

Substitutes
Che Bunce
Adam Crump
Hindrich Hahn
Franpisek Mudrik
Mark Fulcher

Odds $1.50 Draw $3.55 Odds $6.25

Prediction: One the home side will want to win after last week's loss which has brought them back close to the middle of the pack. Waikato will be keen to go on with it after upsetting the big boys last time out. Should be close unless the southerners hit their straps which they haven't done too often. 

Auckland City v Waitakere United

Kiwitea St, Sandringham, Sunday 4pm
Referee: Kevin Stoltenkamp

* Auckland City
Ross Nicholson
Paul Seaman
Liam Mulrooney
Greg Uhlmann/
James Pritchett
Riki Van Steeden
Jonathan Smith
Paul Urlovic/
Reg Davani
Grant Young
Neil Sykes
Paul Vodanovich
Matt Cunneen

Substitutes
Greg Uhlmann
Nick Hyde
Jonathan Perry
Richard Gillespie


* Waitakere United
Simon Eaddy
Sean Douglas
Hone Fowler
Ben Hall
George Suri
Chris Jackson
Jake Butler
Richie Cardozo
Stuart Hogg
Dean Storey
Daniel Ellensohn

Substitutes
Marcus Phillips
Ben Steward
Price Quansah
Craig Wylie
Jeff Sole

Odds $1.60 Draw $3.30 Odds $5.50

Prediction: Beware the stung City side. With their lead trimmed to three and in danger of disappearing altogether in tonight's game, there will be no holding back in the derby clash. Much will depend on who fronts for City whereas coach Cain knows he will again have key players sidelined through suspension. A repeat of the grit United showed in the latter stages last time could get them a much-needed point.