KEY POINTS:
The celebrations in Honiara after Kossa FC beat Waitakere United 3-1 in the first leg of the O-League final will be nothing like the unabated revelry which will explode if the Solomon Islanders go on to clinch the title at Trusts Stadium tomorrow.
United coach Chris Milicich and
his players are determined there will be no such joy and will do everything to rain on their parade.
And rain may, indeed, be the operative word.
With conditions likely to be a world apart from those they enjoyed at the Lawson Tama Stadium, the outcome of the decider could depend on the weather and how the visitors handle whatever is thrown at them.
Milicich is well aware of the part the conditions might play.
"We didn't want the 35 degrees and high humidity we got there. Just like they won't want 10 degrees and rain here," said Milicich.
"The conditions in Honiara were a huge factor. Our players were struggling after 15 or so minutes.
"But, having said that, we didn't play well and certainly didn't cope with the environment. When we play to our potential we know we are much, much better than that.
"We now have to put that result behind us ... Our objective is to score goals. But, just as importantly, not concede. Simply, we just have to go out and do it and make the most of our home advantage."
That alone, and the fact that a guaranteed minimum US$500,000 ($647,202) is riding on the outcome, will not be enough to swing it.
Kossa are in the box seat. They have a handy two-goal advantage and will run out for tomorrow's game fully aware any draw, a 0-1 or 1-2 loss will automatically pitch them into Fifa's World Club Cup in Japan in December.
A 0-2 loss would get Waitakere home on the away goal rule while 1-3 _ a repeat of the score line in Honiara _ would send the game to extra time and perhaps a penalty shootout.
Milicich must come up with the right strategy and again do it without key defender and captain Danny Hay.
"We didn't tackle at all well," said Milicich. "We weren't allowed to. The third goal they scored hurt us but it could have been worse. They could have got a fourth as, by that stage, we were out on our feet."
It was, from any angle, one of Waitakere's worst efforts in a season which brought them the league-final double and victory in their O-League pool.
To win they must look to some of their better efforts over the season _ the results against old rivals Auckland City aside _ including the 5-1 win over eventual grand finalists Team Wellington and the 4-0 home win they scored over Hawkes Bay United and seek to replicate them.
If Benjamin Totori can return to his rampant best and finds the space and freedom to run at Kossa's central defenders, the home side will be a threat.
With Daniel Kopricvic returning to his better form, Milicich might be tempted to start him ahead of Commins Menapi as that combination failed to fire in the first leg.
The other area of concern will be, in Hay's absence, going with a four-strong defence. They struggled in Honiara's heat and in countering the pace that James Naka, Joe Luwi and Reg Davani threw at them.
Kossa coach Jacob Moli, putting out the same lineup, is looking forward to more of the same.
"The boys are geared up. We know we need to play [at our best].
Only six of our players have been to New Zealand before [mostly for last year's beach soccer tournament]. Hopefully the weather will be kind."
There lies the key.
WAITAKERE UNITED V KOSSA FC
Trusts Stadium, Henderson 2pm tomorrow
Referee: Ben Williams (Australia)
Assistants: Tevita Makasini (Tonga), Michael Joseph (Vanuatu)
Waitakere: Richard Gillespie, Neil Sykes, Jonathan Perry, Neil Emblen, Darren Bazeley, Chris Bale, Jake Butler, Hoani Edwards or Jason Hayne, Allan Pearce, Commins Menapi or Daniel Kopricvic, Benjamin Totori. Substitutes: Simon Eaddy, Jason Rowley, Graham Pearce, Tim Myers.
Kossa: Severino Aefi, Tome Faisi, Samson Takayama, Mahon Maemania, Francis Nee, Joe Luwi, James Naka, Seni Ngava, Paul Wale, Gideon Omokirio, Reg Davani. Substitutes: John Morgan, Sam Maena, Philip Ashley, Samson Waahero, Roy Enori, Terry Oiaka, Willie Sade
