Soccer: Clash of old foes promises a buzz

Waitakere's Roy Krishna (R) and Auckland's Martin Bullock in a recent clash. Photo / Paul Estcourt

The stage is set for another of those enduring battles which punctuate the domestic soccer season. And it has brought a different last approach from the two camps.

In one corner, top dogs Waitakere United go in with a record 8-0 winning record and a handy eight-point lead with six games to play.

In the other, cross-town rivals Auckland City are ready to challenge and fully aware that a loss would almost certainly dash any minor premiership ambitions.

While Waitakere coach Neil Emblen has chosen to give his players today off, City will have a last training run before what promises to be a season-defining clash.

"It is one of those games you always want to play," said City co-coach Ramon Tribulietx.

"It is going to be a mental as much as a physical game. We know if we lose it is going to be very difficult to catch them."

Tribulietx and co-coach Aaron McFarland will decide on the make-up of their starting XI after this morning's session.

"Luis Corrales arrives back in the country today," said Tribulietx yesterday.

"He has been training with his old club in Costa Rica but I doubt whether he will be ready for more than 30 to 40 minutes at this stage.

"Apart from losing Manuel Exposito, we are at full strength. Up front we have yet to decide who will play."

Former Waitakere striker Daniel Kopricvic, Adam McGeorge, back from suspension (he missed last week's 2-1 win over Canterbury United), Daniel Morgan and Adam Dickinson will be in the mix while David Mulligan will provide the midfield thrust in front of captain and defensive marshall Ivan Vicelich, who was not around when Waitakere won 3-1 at Kiwitea St earlier in the season.

"The boys have been training very well. With Ivan back he gives us the experience we were lacking in the first round," said Tribulietx.

Emblen has yet to name his starting line-up but it is difficult to see him changing much given the start his players have given him this season.

One of the more interesting clashes could be the likely match-up between no-nonsense City left back Ian Hogg and either Roy Krishna and Allan Pearce, who play wide for the home team.

"This game certainly has a buzz about it," said Emblen.

"The lads know there is more pressure on them to win. They want to keep the winning streak going.

"But, more than anything, I want to see a good game of football at home.

"They have a different pressure on them.

"They know if it ends in a draw, we would still be nine points ahead of them and would need to lose four of our last five for them to catch us."

City won the first nine such battles in the old NZFC, including four away from home. One win was later reversed on appeal.

Since the December 2006 4-3 card-littered thriller at Kiwitea St, it has been much tighter.

City have won only three times (including two grand finals) and Waitakere have won five.

Three of those last 11 games have been drawn.

There remains the sense of anticipation these games always bring.

The TAB yesterday had Waitakere at $1.75 and City at a healthy $3.80.

Given the "must win" attitude City will take into the game, the $3.55 on offer for a draw might be the safe bet.

ASB Premiership
Waikato FC v Otago United
Fred Jones Park.
Today 3pm.
Referee: Nick Waldron.

Waitakere United v Auckland City
Fred Taylor Park. Tomorrow 4pm.
Referee: Campbell-Kirk Waugh.