KEY POINTS:
Roy Krishna, seen as one of Fiji's best and one of the most exciting players in Oceania, will join Waitakere United's Solomon Islanders Benjamin Totori and Commins Menapi for tomorrow's critical New Zealand Football Champion battle with arch-rivals Auckland City.
Krishna arrived in Auckland on Thursday night and
will train with his new team this morning.
Although he will almost certainly not be in the starting XI, United coach Chris Milicich promises he will see some game time in a match which marks Waitakere's return to Henderson's Trusts Stadium.
"It is really exciting to think we have three players of such quality," said Milicich. "It is testament to the lad's ability that he is able to play at this level. I have seen him play three times and have no doubt he will bring an exciting dimension to our game."
Fiji coach Carlos Buzzetti is equally convinced Krishna has what it takes.
"I have no doubt he could play in Europe," said Buzzetti. "He has the right attitude and all the ability. He is small in stature but is very strong."
Milicich sees his latest signing - Krishna joins Totori and Chris Bale as the club's imports, with Menapi as their marquee player - as adding to his selection conundrum.
"He brings pace and exceptional close ball control and has the ability to run at players," said Milicich. "I can see him working into spaces which will make life difficult for defenders.
"We now have riches of attacking players. That puts the pressure on the other players to respond. I know I am going to have to leave some good players out."
While he has yet to name his XI for the match of the round, Milicich must decide whether to include a defender on his bench or go all out with attackers after making an initial call between Daniel Kopricvic and Menapi, given Totori and Allan Pearce are certain to claim two of the starting berths.
With Krishna now in the mix it promises to be an absorbing contest.
Among the battles within the battle will be the likely clash between Krishna and fellow Fiji player Auckland City defender Salesh Kumar, who has stood out in his appearances so far.
Like Milicich, City coach Colin Tuaa faces some tough calls with regular captain and defender Ben Sigmund back after sitting out last week's win over Otago as a precautionary measure - facing an automatic stand-down for his next yellow card.
Waitakere chairman Rex Dawkins welcomes the return to Trusts Stadium, albeit briefly.
"At least we are now in sight of having a permanent home. This [Trusts Stadium] is a fabulous facility. We are looking forward to returning here permanently next season."
Tomorrow's match, which will go a long way to deciding the NZFC title, will be controlled by New Zealand's top referee, Peter O'Leary.
