KEY POINTS:
Any doubts that Roy Krishna can take or leave a game of soccer were dispelled yesterday.
Determined to beat the odds and take his place in the Waitakere United side for today's crucial O-League clash with Vanuatu champions Port Vila Sharks, Krishna hit the road.
Hours after scoring
the two second half goals which steered Fiji to their upset 2-0 win over the All Whites in Lautoka on Wednesday night, Krishna was on the bus to Suva.
Yesterday he joined the long queue at the New Zealand Embassy in the hope of getting his entry visa for New Zealand. Four hours after joining the hopefuls, Krishna had his passport/visa returned beating the noon closing time by just 15 minutes.
He was then back on the bus for the four-hour return trip to Nadi to await his flight to New Zealand arriving in Auckland at midnight.
While Waitakere coach Chris Milicich will not name his team until after a light training run this morning, it will be no surprise if Krishna is handed a start. "Roy Krishna is obviously on fire," said Milicich. "We wanted him here two weeks ago but that wasn't to be. Now he is able to play we will take him. He is tough, strong, quick and can score goals."
Today's match will be a real challenge for Waitakere.
A quick check shows up to a dozen of the players in the visiting side have played for Vanuatu at senior level. Almost as many last year played for Tafea FC in last season's O-League.
"The boys are mentally prepared, and are looking forward to doing their thing on Saturday," said team manager Stephen Felix. "This is the first O-League game for the Port Vila Sharks, but a lot of the players have O-League experience having played for Tafea FC last year."
After last week's 7-0 drubbing by the Wellington Phoenix, Waitakere must quickly regroup. They could have had an easier game but Milicich is confident there will be the necessary step up.
There is too much at stake not to.
In NZFC action three matches will be played tomorrow with most interest in the game between Hawkes Bay United and Team Wellington.
Shark-hunting:
* Waitakere United v Port Vial Sharks.
* Trusts Stadium, 5pm today.
* Referee: Norbert Huata (Tahiti).
Waitakere United (from): Richard Gillespie, Jonathan Perry, Aaron Scott, Tim Myers, Danny Hay, Daniel Ellensohn, Paul Seaman, Benjamin Totori, Allan Pearce, Roy Krishna, Daniel Koprivcic, Jeff Campbell, Chris Bale, Neil Emblen, Jake Butler, Ian Hogg, Mikael Munday, Kayne Vincent, Daniel Robinson, Adriano Pimenta.
Port Vila Sharks (from): Samson Obed, Ken Mausavakalo, Moise Poida, Pita Maki, Jean Nako, Richard Iwai, Etienne Mermer, Hubert Nake, Francois Sakama, Silas Namatak, Alphonse Welin, Geoffrey Gete, John Presley, Michell Kaltak, Alfred Malas, Fenedy Mausavakalo, Andrew Chichirua, Rexley Tari.