Soccer: Waitakere wary of champs despite undefeated record

In a truncated yet important round group A leaders Waitakere United face New Caledonian champions Mone-Dore in what is certain to be the sticky heat of Noumea this afternoon.

A perfect two-from-two record and a 14-0 goal tally has given Waitakere coach Neil Emblen the start he was looking for, but he remains wary of what his team will face in their first away game of the campaign.

"If we can beat Mont-Dore over there we will be in a great position," said Emblen before his team's departure on Thursday.

"That would take us to nine points and leave them on one and virtually out of contention.

"At the same time I am dreaming of a draw between Ba and Tefana in the other game in our group as that too would take us comfortably clear at the halfway point.

"Ba will find it tough over there in Papeete. Tefana have not only home advantage but they play on an artificial pitch which is also in their favour.

"We don't have that worry but we know we have struggled against New Caledonian teams up there in the past. I can't remember us coming away from Noumea with more than a point."

Again, there are unlikely to be many changes to the Waitakere line-up.

After missing last week's 4-1 ASB Premiership win over Waikato through injury, Jason Rowley (who needed stitches in his knee after an accident with a hedge trimmer) is back in the frame leaving Emblen to again decide on a central defensive partner for Tim Myers. Luke Adams and Rowley will battle that one out.

Mont-Dore coach Thierry Sardo is fully aware of the talented Waitakere strikeforce of Roy Krishna, Allan Pearce, Ryan De Vries and Sean Lovemore who might get time off the bench.

"We have worked hard on defence and our play around the penalty area," said Sardo. "But we will play our own game and make sure we stay watchful on the counter attack and in defending free kicks."

Mont-Dore have returned to the O-League after a four-year absence and began slowly, losing their opening match 2-1 to Ba and securing their first point with a 1-1 draw in the francophone derby against Tefana.

"The team is in a good mood at the moment and we have prepared well to receive Waitakere," he says. "We really need success in this match if we want to do well in the rest of the competition."

Both scheduled group B matches have been postponed. The game between Hekari United and Koloale has been put back a week because of ground unavailability, while Auckland City's home tie with Amicale FC will now be played on January 18.

In local action, New Zealand Football has instigated a new competition - the White Ribbon Cup - to be contested by the six premiership teams not involved in the O-League.

The competition supports White Ribbon, a campaign to raise awareness of men's violence against women.

"I think it's a fantastic initiative from New Zealand Football and they deserve a pat on the back for making it work," said Team Wellington coach Matt Calcott.

In two games this weekend (both today), Waikato FC will play Hawkes Bay United at Crown Park, Taupo (2pm) and Team Wellington are at home to Canterbury United (3pm).

The ASB Women's Youth League final between Northern Football v Waikato Bay of Plenty will be played at Parrs Park tomorrow at 1pm.