Soccer: United fire up for Phoenix

NZFC champions Waitakere won't be giving the Phoennix an easy run tonight at Fred Taylor Park. Photo / Getty Images

Don't tell the Waitakere United players there is nothing riding on tonight's ASB Challenge match against the Wellington Phoenix A side at Fred Taylor Park.

Rather than dismiss it as a friendly, United coach Neil Emblen is adamant his players not only want to strip for the game at which Phoenix and All Whites boss Ricki Herbert will be a keen spectator, but they want to turn in a meaningful performance.

"The boys want to prove they can cut it at this level. They have ambitions to play at the highest level and here is a chance to impress," said Emblen. "There is the feeling they have got the momentum going and they want to continue it."

While Herbert has ruled out any of the players who travelled for the loss to Gold Coast last weekend, he is keen to see Tony Lochhead back in action after being sidelined with a groin injury since week eight of the Hyundai A-League.

"Tony will play half a game," said Herbert. "Reece Crowther will play in goal as he obviously needs game time now that Mark Paston is out. Diego and Mirjan Pavlovic will also play but Toto is not ready to play yet. Otherwise it will be mainly the younger players."

Some of the best youngsters in the country will be on show with a number of the Waitakere players who are heading to Christchurch for Sunday's ASB Youth League final set to play in both teams.

CHALLENGE SERIES

*Waitakere United v Wellington Phoenix A

*Fred Taylor Park

*Today 6pm