Soccer: Waitakere name strong squad for Vanuatu trip

Waitakere United head coach Chris Milicich has named an experienced side to travel to Vanuatu this weekend to play Port Vila in a crucial O-League soccer tie.

Waitakere need at least a draw at Honiara ahead of their second-leg match against Auckland City on April 5 which is expected to settle Group A.

Former All Whites Jonathan Perry (injury) and Jeff Campbell (work) will miss the match but Milicich feels he has plenty of options and few excuses.

"The whole season has been geared up to playing the next six weeks.

"Port Vila will be a different proposition at home than they are away and it is up to us to ensure that we get the right result regardless of any circumstances.

"There can be no slip-ups from now."

Milicich faces some tough selection dilemmas with plenty of firepower up front in Roy Krishna, Danko Koprivcic, Benji Totori, Allan Pearce and Kayne Vincent all in good form.

At the back, the return of captain Danny Hay to action in recent weeks has been well managed, the former All Whites captain has added to the experience and power in the side, forming a central strong defensive pairing with Neil Emblen.

Waitakere squad
Richard Gillespie, Danny Robinson, Aaron Scott, Danny Hay, Neil Emblen, Neil Sykes, Tim Myers, Jake Butler, Chris Bale, Paul Seaman, Allan Pearce, Daniel Koprivcic, Roy Krishna, Benjamin Totori, Kayne Vincent.

- NZPA