Soccer: City reinforces midfield for key clash

David Mulligan. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Auckland City have taken key midfielders David Mulligan and Luis Corrales to Tahiti for what shapes as a key group-B clash with bottom-placed AS Tefana but co-coach Aaron McFarland is cautious in predicting how much game time they will get.

"If we feel David is capable of playing at least half a game then he will probably start," said McFarland. "We see Luis as more of an impact player who can give us 20 minutes late in the game if needed."

With Adam McGeorge out through suspension, Mulligan could come in as a straight swap but, again, McFarland said he and co-coach Ramon Tribulietx will wait until they ascertain how much game time Mulligan is capable of before making that call.

Other than that, City are likely to go with the same line-up who played Hawkes Bay United last Sunday.

"Ramon said our first half against Hawkes Bay was one of the best performances he has seen in three years," said McFarland. "We were only undone by those two sending-offs."

Losing Ian Hogg and Alex Feneridis to red cards was costly. They do not miss today's game but will sit out next Saturday's ASB Premiership home game against struggling YoungHeart Manawatu.

City will have had two nights in Papeete before the game but their biggest challenge might be overcoming the unfamiliar artificial pitch at the Louis Ganivet Stadium. City had a training session on the North Harbour artificial pitch this week to get a feel for the surface.

AS Magenta beat Tefana 1-0 in round two to close to within a point of the two New Zealand teams but will need to dig deep in Noumea today if they are to upset a fired-up Waitakere who are unbeaten this season.

In the only change from the squad who stripped for last Saturday's win over Canterbury United, Sean Lovemore has been left out to allow coach Neil Emblen to join the substitutes in what is basically a cost-saving measure.

"Away points are vital with it being so close," said Emblen before his team's departure on Thursday. "Magenta are only a point behind us so we can't afford to lose."

Only one last round match in the ASB Youth League will have any bearing on next week's semifinals. If Auckland City beat Hawkes Bay at Kiwitea St today they would finish second in the northern conference provided leaders Waitakere beat second-placed Waikato FC at Fred Taylor Park tomorrow.