Football: Grand finalists set for ASB Charity Cup clash

Emiliano Tade of Auckland takes the ball forward during the ASB Premiership match between Auckland and Wellington. Photo / Getty Images.

Two teams in a similar pre-season pattern enter a rematch of the ASB Premiership Grand Final on Sunday as Auckland City and Team Wellington contest the season-opening ASB Charity Cup.

After Auckland City FC edged the 2013-2014 ASB Premiership final between the two sides 1-0, coach Ramon Tribulietx has overseen a few changes in personnel for the coming season.

All Whites midfielder Tim Payne is among the new recruits and Tribulietx says while he expects the former Blackburn Rovers player to make an impact, the most important aspect of side's approach is how the team knit together.

"I really believe in the team idea and the way we play structurally in possession and out of possession is the key for what we do," Tribulietx said.

"Obviously someone like Tim Payne should be important acquisition for us. He's got a good pedigree, he's coming from the pro ranks and he's an All White. But again, the new players have to re-adjust to the way we play and once that happens I believe the team structure is the most important thing."

"Slowly it's coming right and the new players are beginning to understand how we want to play, especially with the ball. We're still away from our best obviously because it's only our fifth week of preparation.

"It's still early days for both teams and I find it hard to believe that you're going to find two teams that are up to speed with their structures set. We want to try and make sure we go one step forward with our structures and our main focus is that we are ready for next week for the first game of the ASB Premiership."

Meanwhile, Team Wellington coach Matt Calcott is preparing his own new look team with experienced players set to make an impact during a schedule which includes OFC Champions League commitments this year.

"Due to the circumstances around the competition we've had to recruit a new squad and it will take a bit time but the early signs are really good," Calcott said.

"I think the difference from years gone by is that previously we've been reasonably successful with a number of younger players but this year we have a lot of experience in the team and that's fantastic for me and the coaching staff.

"We've got people like Michael O'Keefe, Bill Robertson, Alex Feneridis and Cole Peverley and so there's that real experience through the spine of the team.

"To complement that we've got some real attacking talent with Luis [Corrales] being back in town, Henry Fa'arodo and Nico Beshar; I think we've got a nice balance heading into the start of the season."

In a similar vein to Tribulietx, Calcott says Sunday's game gives the visitors are chance to continue their progression towards their opening fixture of the ASB Premiership proper on November 2 against the Wellington Phoenix.

"We're a couple of weeks out from the season and we've only had people in for a couple of weeks and the signs have been good from the 9-10 sessions we've had," Calcott said.

"In the past because we've not been in the Charity Cup, we have had other teams we've been playing against, but to hit Auckland a couple of weeks out from the season will be a great way to get a gauge of where we are at."

"[A win] would add to the confidence and a little bit of momentum and although there are no points on the line, a couple of weeks out from the season we've got to be getting in the right frame of mind and I think we are.

"I think we'll have a real go on Sunday."

ASB Charity Cup 2014
Auckland City FC v Team Wellington
Sunday 19 October, 2pm
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham, Auckland

Auckland City FC (from): 1. Tamati Williams (GK), 2. Simon Arms, 3. Takuya Iwata, 4. Mario Bilen, 6. John Irving, 8. Tim Payne, 9. Darren White, 11. Cameron Lindsay, 15. Ivan Vicelich, 16. Daewook Kim, 19. David Browne, 20. Emiliano Tade, 22. Andrew Milne, 23. Sam Burfoot, 24. Jacob Spoonley (GK), 25. Fabrizio Tavano
Coach: Ramon Tribulietx

Team Wellington (from): 1. Michael O'Keeffe (GK), 2. Greg Rosenthal, 4. Tyler Lissette, 5. Bill Robertson, 7. Henry Fa'arodo, 8. Cole Peverley, 9. Jarrod Smith, 10. Niko Bechar, 11. Michael Gwyther, 13. Alex Feneridis, 14. James Musa, 15. Luis Corrales, 17. Sean Morris, 19. Cory Chettleburgh, 20. Adam Cowan, 22. Daniel Clarke (GK)
Coach: Matt Calcott