Soccer: Captain Bunce at odds with bookies

Waikato Captain Che Bunce believes the guy at the TAB who sets the odds needs to get his head read after his side were rated $7 outsiders for their elimination final against Waitakere United today.

Waikato opened at $7 to win the one-off game, with Waitakere $1.45 favourites, and Bunce says it's a dangerous game for the TAB considering his side were also $40 outsiders to claim the inaugural NZFC title.

"I find the fact we're at $7 incredible," Bunce said. "The person who sets the odds could be in for trouble if people put a bit of money on it, especially as it's a one-off game and we have beaten them twice already."

Although Waitakere finished nine points clear of Waikato during the season, Waikato won the past two meetings, including a resounding 3-0 win six weeks ago. Today's winner will take on Auckland City in Saturday's grand final.

Bunce was on the scoresheet six weeks ago and he's confident his side will have the edge considering they have been playing pressure football for the past three weeks. They beat Napier City last weekend in a winner-take-all match to confirm their place in the top three for the playoffs.

"I think it helps us because it was like a cup final last week and if we win again we'll have the advantage over Auckland City in the final because they won't have played for a couple of weeks," he said.

Even at 28, Bunce is the elder statesman of a youthful Waikato side, with two players from the national under-20s side and a number of others barely into their twenties.

Opposing them will be a side with vastly more experience, although they'll be without All Whites Danny Hay, Noah Hickey and Gerard Davis through injury.

Waitakere are also sweating on the fitness of top goalscorer Keryn Jordan (knee), while Allan Pearce is also out. Waikato will be without midfielder Michael Mayne (groin).

Waitakere (from): Simon Eaddy, Jason Rowley, Sean Douglas, Nathan Christie, Matt Cuneen, Craig Wylie, Joe Edwards, Jeremy Christie, Chris Jackson, Hoani Edwards, Andrew Griffiths, Alan Pearce, Daniel Ellensohn, Keryn Jordan, Jake Butler, Sean Dowling, Stu Hogg, Ben Steward.

Waikato: Mark Fulcher, Garry Board, Che Bunce, Craig Flowerday, LJ Pijnenburg, David Samson, Sam Wilkinson, Cole Tinkler, Colin Gardyne, Brett Derry, Steve Callinan. Subs: Anees Khan, Cameron Jones, Adam Crump, Nathan Fry, Eddie Trubshoe, Brent Mayhew.

New Zealand Soccer has withdrawn the national under-17 side from the Oceania qualifying tournament in New Caledonia next month citing financial difficulties.

NZS chief executive Graham Seatter said they were still committed to sending national teams to all Fifa qualifying tournaments as long as they had the money. The move follows in the footsteps of the disastrous under-20 tournament in the Solomon Islands when New Zealand failed to make the semifinals after a protracted build-up.

The New Zealand Knights will announce the signings of two new players tomorrow - one from Australia and one from Europe - meaning they now have a squad of six leading into the kick-off of the A-League in August.