Soccer: City must get down to nitty-gritty

Paul Posa rates last year's Abu Dhabi triumph as the highlight of his career. Photo / Richard Robinson

The mental rather than physical challenge promises to be the biggest hurdle for the Auckland City players when they return to New Zealand Football Championship action for the first time since those giddy days at the Fifa Club World Cup.

In playing Hawkes Bay United, who have only Waikato FC below them on the points table, at home on Sunday, City are not facing the toughest examination but must still be wary.

Paul Posa, who this week has handed over the coaching reins to his assistants Stipe Saric and Ramon Tribulietx while he takes a richly deserved holiday in the Far North, said the break had come at the right time.

"I'm looking at it as a two-part season," said Posa. "Part one is now finished. We have had a natural break and now it is time to tackle part two. We had one light session when we got back but since then have had time off."

Posa, who rates the triumph in Abu Dhabi as the highlight of his career, should have close to a full-strength squad to select from.

"Apart from Kieran Jordan - who returned early from Abu Dhabi with a knee injury - I haven't heard of any other players who won't be available," said Posa. "While we haven't been back to full-on training, Ramon gave all the players a programme to work with. He is just back from Barcelona and I'm sure he will have them ready."

Posa has already decided to entrust Jacob Spoonley with the goalkeeping duties on Sunday after alternating between Spoonley and Paul Gothard through the early NZFC, O-League and Club World Cup games.

"I haven't talked to Paul [Gothard] yet, but I will probably lean towards Jacob now," said Posa. "There will probably be less chopping and changing. Jacob needs to play more if he is to push his All Whites' claims."

History is against Hawkes Bay, whose only half-decent result against City in Auckland came with a 3-3 draw almost five years ago.

Waitakere United travel to Ngaruawahia to play Waikato FC on Sunday determined to hold on to the three-point advantage they enjoy over City.

With Aaron Scott and Benjamin Totori back, Waitakere coach Neil Emblen has a full strength squad from which to name his starting X1.

Waikato have a good home record against the Aucklanders, having won two and drawn one of six matches at home. Waitakere's last away win against Waikato was in 2007 when Commins Menapi scored the only goal of the match.

It promises to be a round of close matches at the start of five straight weeks of full-on NZFC action.