Minnows don't fear 'big boys'

GIANT KILLERS: Ngongotaha AFC coach Shane Davis and his side are hoping for success today against NRFL Division 1 side Metro FC in the first round of the Chatham Cup. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Ngongotaha AFC coach Shane Davis will be hunting a giant when his side travel to Auckland for the first round of the Chatham Cup today.

And they will not be short of inspiration when they try to knock third-placed NRFL Division 1 side Metro FC, who are two leagues above them, out of the competition.

Davis is confident his team, managed by Steve Towers, will be able to compete against the tough opposition, after Ngongotaha sailed through the preliminary round, beating Old Blues FC 6-0 last month.

"We have a real chance. They may be viewed as 'the big boys' but I really don't think that matters in this special competition," he said.

"Each week I have seen the players developing and we have just as much skill on the ball as Metro.

"I won't be changing the formation or anything like that, because we play a great style of football. I don't want to see the players doing anything differently on the pitch.

"The only advantage Metro may have is if the game goes to extra time. Then it will simply come down to fitness, and I'm not sure if we will match up in that area."

Ngongotaha, who will play in a new away kit of yellow and black, are unbeaten this season in the WaiBOP Premiership, having won all six of their games, including a last-gasp 2-1 victory over local rivals Rotorua United last weekend.

And an upset could be on the cards as Metro FC have recently hit a run of bad form, with two league defeats, 2-1 to top-of-the-league Hibiscus Coast, and 1-0 to Mt Albert Ponsonby.

"If we ever wanted to face this team, now would be the right time," said Davis.

"My boys are on a high. They showed real character to beat Rotorua and never gave up even though it didn't look like we were going to get that crucial second goal.

"And that is what I want to see against Metro. They aren't in a great place right now so we have to take advantage of this.

"I want to see tough tackles going in and that drive to win. It is important for us to have a good cup run this year - we just need to believe we can do it."

However Metro FC, one of the oldest clubs in New Zealand, regularly enjoy a good cup run and this year will be looking to beat their highest placing of reaching the semifinals in 1998, while the furthest Ngongotaha have reached is the last eight more than 10 years ago.

However, the Rotorua football community still has belief after Rotorua City set the standard for giant-killing with their 1989 cup run where they beat then National League high flyers Mt Maunganui at home before going down to perennial Chatham Cup favourites Christchurch United in a one-sided final in Wellington.

"The Chatham Cup is a tournament that is steeped in history and tradition, and every club wants to get their hands on the trophy," said Daniel Farrow, the New Zealand Football head of national competitions.

"That's why you can never predict who is going to win. On the day it is all about which team rises to the occasion."

Today's Chatham Cup game is at Albie Turner Field, Phyllis St, Auckland, kick-off 3pm.

-To view all first round match-ups visit www.nzfootball.co.nz.