Soccer: Fiji goalie cleared for Auckland visit

Luke Adams is expected to get game time in tomorrow's match. Photo / Richard Robinson

The granting of a late visa for goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau has ensured top Fiji club side Rewa can bring a full strength team to face Waitakere United and Auckland City.

Tamanisau was in danger of missing the trip under the Government sanctions which prevents anyone with links to the military in Fiji travelling to New Zealand.

Tamanisau's father-in-law Kaia Seva served in Fiji until his retirement three years ago when he severed all military ties. He successfully backed an appeal that Tamanisau, who played for Fiji in the recent Pacific Games in New Caledonia, should be cleared to play in Auckland.

Tomorrow's game against the Battle of the Giants champions will give Waitakere United coach Neil Emblen another early chance to cast his eye over his largely unchanged squad with most players expecting some game time on the new artificial Bill McKinlay Park pitch.

While the visitors are at full strength, Waitakere will be without their Fijian link with Roy Krishna staying at home. He will join Waitakere for the return match against Rewa in Suva next month and also play against Ba in another pre-season affair.

Emblen is also without Tim Meyers (finishing his studies at Otago University), Tim Payne (trialing in the UK) and Ryan de Vries who is across the Tasman.

Among the new faces in the greater Waitakere squad are East Coast Bays defender Ryan Zoghby, former Team Wellington player Gagame Feni and Bay Olympic sharpshooter Ross McKenzie.

Emblen also faces a juggling act with some of his players returning to Fred Taylor Park after a long winter season while others have not kicked a ball in anger since the end of their successful ASB Premiership season.

"Obviously, we are looking forward to the new campaign and seeing the combinations in action," said Emblen. "Most players have been involved in winter football so fitness levels should be okay.

"With Tim Myers staying in Dunedin, I will again play Chris Bale in the central defensive role in which he looked so comfortable in recent games against the domestic-based All Whites and the Wellington Phoenix."

Rewa will be a good test. They had three players in the national side and have held a top four spot in the local league this season.

Talented youngsters Luke Adams, Ross Haviland, Rory Turner and Jordan Vale are expecting game time.

There will also be an early glimpse of the Waitakere team who will attempt to defend their ASB National Youth League crown. They will play a New Zealand-based Fiji selection in tomorrow's curtain-raiser.