Soccer: Canterbury's sacrifice for All Whites

Canterbury United coach Danny Halligan puts his team out against Auckland City on Sunday with mixed emotions.

What shaped as the game of the season for Halligan in front of the biggest crowd of the season at English Park won't happen now.

The New Zealand Football Championship feature has been switched to QEII Stadium as curtain-raiser to the All Whites clash with Malaysia.

"This was to have been our only match against Auckland City at English Park this season after playing them twice at Kiwitea St," said Halligan. "We have always performed well at English Park whereas none of our players has ever played at QEII."

Halligan has also been hit with the loss of key players Brent Fisher and Andy Barron, who seem certain starters for the All Whites later in the day.

"I would have liked to see some common sense, but at times like this it seems club football becomes second class. I would have liked the whole round deferred."

Many teams have lost a player or two to the national side, but none has the three that would have led to automatic deferment.

Halligan has also lost Chris Morris to suspension, Michael Lilley through injury and goalkeeper James Bannatyne who is unavailable for personal reasons. Lilley, who was injured during last week's win over Waikato FC, is likely to be out for a few weeks.

City too have players missing. James Pritchett and Ross Nicholson are with the All Whites; Keryn Jordan, Shane Pascoe and Sam Wilkinson are injured; and Grant Young is in South Africa.

NZFC manager Glyn Taylor dismissed any suggestion clubs were up in arms over the decision to proceed with the weekend's round.

"There have been no direct concerns or complaints made to me," said Taylor. "To have deferred the round would have put a strain on an already congested draw. Most of the clubs have been supportive."

Taylor said there has been "a huge degree of transparency in the negotiations with Canterbury United" and "we have reached an agreement with Canterbury United". He agreed the club had been denied their biggest gate of the season.

"It is a trade-off which is necessary in the interest of the game as a whole," said Taylor.

New Zealand Soccer chief executive Graham Seatter said Canterbury would not be left out of pocket.

Despite his concerns over the playing of the fixture, Halligan remains confident.

"I'm very happy with our form," said Halligan. "It was a good effort to beat Wellington, and I was happy with how we played despite losing 1-0 away to Manawatu.

"It was a scrappy win over Waikato, but they again showed they are no mugs."

Halligan said that despite their 10-point haul in their past five matches - an effort bettered only by Auckland City - he was not happy in third place on the points table.

"Our sights are set on finishing as high as possible," said Halligan. "Second place is certainly realistic. Not only does it give you an extra life in the play-offs but it also has the home advantage. Like all clubs, our sights have been firmly set on the Oceania club championships."

Once the NZFC game is out of the way on Sunday, Halligan will sit back and take some satisfaction in watching his two players turn out for the national side. The 53-match international is also happy to see the All Whites return to the city for the first time in a decade.

He is especially pleased that Barron has been called up.

"I'm delighted for him. As soon as we saw him we knew we had something special. He makes good runs and has linked well with Brent Fisher. We have been really well-served by our players through the middle of the park with Barron and Fisher combining well and working closely with Glen Collins and Chris Morris."

Sadly for Halligan only Collins will be in action on Sunday.