Soccer: Eight makes for something great

By TERRY MADDAFORD

If coaches win, or lose, soccer matches then Auckland City and Team Wellington are dead certs to meet in March's final of the New Zealand Football Championship which kicks off in Napier tonight.

In Allan Jones and Mick Waitt, Auckland City and Team Wellington have former All Whites coaches at the helm. Invaluable experience - but enough to get their respective teams over the line?


Outside Jones and Waitt there is coaching talent to burn with former internationals Declan Edge (Waikato FC), Colin Tuaa (YoungHeart Manawatu) and Danny Halligan (Canterbury United) all well versed in the demands of the role. Waitakere United have last year's coach of the year, Chris Milicich, and at Napier City Charlie Howe is no stranger to success.

The hope is that this talent will be matched on the field.

The dozen or so All Whites on the team lists for the eight clubs will be joined by a sprinkling of offshore signings who will add glamour, and hopefully goals, to the championship which is seen as a possible saviour for a code flagging at top domestic level.

New Zealand Soccer have got it right thus far. In opting for eight teams, a new name and a tight three-round summer competition, the ingredients are there. That, though, will count for nothing if the on-field standard does not match the enthusiasm for the championship.

Jones has left former internationals James Bannatyne, Riki Van Steeden and Paul Urlovic on the bench for the game in Napier, underlining the strength of his squad. He calls on a blend of youth and experience with most interest in South African striker Grant Young, who will join Heath McCormack up front.

Howe has recruited well for Napier, with former All Whites and Football Kingz defender Jonathan Taylor to lead the side, which will have former Mt Wellington/East Auckland midfielder Nick Hyde to boost the midfield alongside former England youth international and Manchester United reserve Craig Dean.

Waitakere United kick off their season at a new home - the Trusts Stadium in Henderson - with an ironic clash with Otago United.

In a late switch, the southerners have Vanuatu's Victor Maleb to spearhead their attack. Originally it was planned Maleb would play for Waitakere. He and another of Vanuatu's internationals, Graham Demas, trialled with United but failed to settle and moved on.

While there is an accomplished look about the Danny Hay-led defence, Waitakere will be looking for the attacking spark of former South African striker Keryn Jordan to keep one of the more favoured teams in the race.

Waitt has built a strong squad around the successful Miramar Rangers team who won last month's Chatham Cup and before that the old national league in 2002 and 2003.

There will be some support for Halligan and his Canterbury side to score an upset or two. They are a well-balanced side and could test Team Wellington on Sunday.

The championship has been meticulously planned. It is now up to the 100 or so players who get on to the field for the opening round to make it work.