Pride and the need to retain the end- of-season focus are the driving forces for Auckland City and Waitakere United heading into today's O-League group B final round-robin matches.
City are already assured of their place in the home and away O-League final, while Waitakere need to beat NewCaledonia's AS Magenta to finish second ahead of the last games in the ASB Premiership.
"A draw is not enough," said Waitakere coach Neil Emblen, who will have a rare start this season for his depleted team. "We want to finish above Magenta. We have to beat them."
They drew the away leg 1-1 in Noumea and Waitakere have Jason Rowley, Chris Bale, Jake Butler and Martin Bullock suspended, Luke Adams, Jordan Vale and Tim Payne away with the national under-17s, Tim Myers staying at home in Dunedin and Roy Krishna, Sean Lovemore and a couple of others injured.
"This is a chance for other players to put their hands up not only for the rest of this season but the next, too."
Emblen will probably start with Danny Robinson in goal, himself, Aaron Scott, Jack Pelter and Ashton Pett in defence, Luis del Monte, Zane Sole, Ant Hobbs and Ryan de Vries as his midfield and Mike Gwyther and Allan Pearce up front. His bench will be pretty thin, with Rory Turner the most likely cover.
Auckland City meet Tahiti's AS Tefana at Kiwitea St. "We have players at risk of suspension and can't afford to lose them as any cards carry forward," said co-coach Aaron McFarland. "We also have to consider whether we play Ivan Vicelich, as he won't be available for the second leg of our semifinal with Wellington next week."
McFarland and fellow coach Ramon Tribulietx are preparing for a final showdown with Vanuatu's Amicale.
"The chances of them missing out are probably less than 1 per cent so we know what we are in for," said McFarland. "We know a win in the O-League will be good for not only the players but for Ramon and me as we look ahead."
Group B, final round
Auckland City v AS Tefana,
Kiwitea St, 3pm today.
Referee: Rakesh Varman (Fiji).
Waitakere United v AS Magenta Fred Taylor Park, 3pm today.
Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti).
