Soccer: Former Cup winners face difficult away games

Having had Chatham Cup winner's medals hung around their necks, Paul Marshall and Carl Jorgensen head south as coaches of Three Kings United and Waitakere City fully aware of what to expect in difficult away quarter-finals today.

It is 25 years since Marshall was a member of the Manurewa team which beat Gisborne City 2-1 to lift the prized trophy, while Jorgensen was in the 1995 and 1996 Waitakere City teams who completed a rare three-in-a-row triumph from 1994.

Yet, despite having the chance of steering a team to cup glory - as long as they win today's game against Caversham in Dunedin - Marshall has his sights set on a bigger fish.

Asked if he was surprised his Northern Regional first division side had progressed to the last eight, he said: "Not at all. From the outset we set about signing a team capable of winning promotion to the premier division. Obviously, it is good to do well in the cup but the main thing all along has been to get promotion."

Unbeaten in league and cup play this season adds to the weight of expectation, but again Marshall is not fazed.

"We are taking one game at a time," said Marshall, who was thwarted in his bid to fly south to watch Caversham in action last week when Christchurch airport was closed.

"We have done our homework and expect them to be a tidy team and technically very good. It should be a good surface at the Caledonian which will suit us. But who knows what the weather will do?"

Jorgensen puts Waitakere out against cup hot favourites Miramar Rangers at Dave Farrington Park (formerly Centennial Park) this afternoon, well aware that the winner of the game will be touted as likely champions.

"Absolutely I want to complete the double [as a player and a coach]," said Jorgensen, who fashioned a reputation as an uncompromising midfielder in his playing days. He is happy that he will be able to put out a full strength City side today.

"We are aware conditions will not really suit us given the heavy ground, especially through the middle of the park, but we feel we have the players to do the job out wide."

Roy Krishna and Blair Konick will give the team width and Kayne Vincent the central attacking option. Co-coach Neil Emblen will again shoulder the defensive responsibility.

"We know Miramar will be well-organised and look to play the ball. They have the advantage of playing at home and are tall up front, which is something we have not had to cope with much this season."

In the other quarter-finals, Forrest Hill Milford are at home to Olympic (Wellington) tomorrow and Manurewa are at home to Nelson Suburbs today.

The Women's Knockout Cup quarter-finals will be played tomorrow with Lynn Avon and Claudelands Rovers expected to win and carry northern hopes into next month's semifinals.

CHATHAM CUP

Quarter-finals (all 2pm)

Today

Manurewa v Nelson Suburbs, Memorial Park
Miramar Rangers v Waitakere City, Dave Farrington Park
Caversham v Three Kings, Caledonian

Tomorrow

Forrest Hill Milford v Olympic, Becroft Park

WOMEN'S KNOCKOUT CUP

Quarter-finals

Tomorrow

Glenfield Rovers v Lynn Avon, McFetridge Park noon
Claudelands Rovers v Pukekohe, Galloway Park 1pm
Waterside Karori v Upper Hutt, Karori Park 1pm
Roslyn Wakari v Western, Ellis Park 1pm