WaiBOP in single-match shootout for playoffs

CRUNCH TIME: Rotorua's Amanda Wilshier will have an important role to play for her side Loaded WaiBOP on the weekend. PHOTO/ENZO GIORDANI.

The task for Rotorua's Amanda Wilshier and Loaded WaiBOP in Sunday's National Women's League match at Northern Football is simple.

Win and they're in the playoffs. Draw or lose and they can head to the beach for the summer.

In what is effectively a single-match shootout, most of the pressure will be on 2015 champions and pre-season favourites, Northern.

They were cruising along - unbeaten and at the top of the table - until last Sunday's upset defeat at Capital. Another loss and their season is over.

But the same goes for WaiBOP after they also suffered their first loss of 2016 last weekend - conceding six goals.

WaiBOP goalkeeper Wilshier said she was feeling the pressure and insisted communication at the back would be key to success.

"We always feel pressure going into every game but this one really is make or break," she said. "It's a huge deal but if we work as a unit and are all as one then the game is there for the taking.

"I know I will have a lot of work to do in the match. I don't expect it to be quiet and I'll have a big part to play. But I'm in a positive mindset and ready to bring that attitude with me.

"The team has moved on from last week and we know that we need to improve our communication.

WaiBOP's head coach, Barry Gardiner, is keen to embrace his team's likely underdog tag. "Don't get me wrong, all our focus this week has been on what we need to do to ensure we put in a performance that gives us the best chance of getting a result up there," he said.

"We desperately want to win. But we also know this will be a tough task. They're a very good side, loaded with excellent players. Their record in recent seasons shows this.

"They'll be hungry to put the defeat to Capital behind them and move back to top spot. But that will come with a bit of pressure too. We'll try to add to that by being strong defensively and a bit more clinical going forward. Hopefully we can put that all together and get the result we need."

Gardiner and his squad were disappointed after the Canterbury match but he said the players had done their best to put it behind them.

"We had to really. It showed what can happen when we're not at our best but we're grateful the Canterbury result wasn't terminal. It's a huge plus to still have everything to play for heading into the final weekend of the regular season.

"It's a big challenge, as it would have been regardless of last weekend's result, but the motivation is there to finish strong. If we can perform as we have at times this season then we'll give Northern a good game. That's the very least we're looking for."

Recent history hasn't been kind to WaiBOP in matches against Northern. The 2015 fixture between the two sides finished in a 2-0 win to Northern after they scored twice in the second half. Prior to that, Northern had a thumping 6-1 victory in 2014 and a 1-0 win in 2013. This underlines just how challenging WaiBOP's task is on Sunday.

2016 National Women's League - round 7 fixtures:

Saturday

Southern United v Auckland Football, Tahuna Park, Dunedin. (Kick-off 1pm)

Sunday

Canterbury United Pride v Central Football, English Park, Christchurch. (Kick-off 11am)

Northern Football v Loaded WaiBOP Football, QBE Stadium, Auckland. (Kick-off 1pm)

Capital Football - Bye.