KEY POINTS:
The stakes are high but Waitakere United coach Steve Cain insists money has not been a talking point in the lead-up to tomorrow's must-win second leg O-League final against Fijian champions Ba FC at Mt Smart Stadium.
"The money thing has not come into it at all," said
Cain.
"It will only be a talking point if we win. Once the whistle goes on Sunday it will be the farthest thing from the players' minds.
"It will be more important to do what we have been doing for most of the season than worrying about that."
With the winner guaranteed a place in the Fifa Club World Cup and a payout of at least US$500,000 ($670,000), it is difficult not to think in such terms.
But the 90 minutes, at least, they must play here is more important for both teams.
The return to Mt Smart adds to the occasion.
The home ground for the All Whites' successful 1982 World Cup qualifying run, including a then record 13-0 win over Fiji and more recently the Football Kingz, will be buzzing but most of the fans are likely to be with the visitors.
The strong backing of ethnic football in Auckland is certain to translate to a big crowd.
"It is a bizarre situation that in your own country your opposition is more likely to have greater support," said Cain.
"It's probably a bit like when the England cricket team play India or Pakistan at home."
Cain has made only one change from the starting line-up who played the first leg at Govind Park a week ago.
Graham Pearce returns from injury to join captain Danny Hay in central defence, with George Suri dropping to the bench. In another significant switch, and obviously with the need to win in mind, Cain has opted to start with a 4-3-3 line-up, as opposed to the 4-4-2 used in the first leg.
The visitors, who have been in Auckland since Thursday but without their coaching staff, who arrive today, have also made just one change, with influential midfielder/captain Peni Finau - the younger brother of well-known Fijian international Esala Masi - returning from suspension.
Finau, who has played for Wollongong and Brisbane, will be crucial to Ba's chances and the pivot in their customary 3-5-2 formation.
"It will be different for us in this game," said Finau yesterday.
"The conditions here are much colder than in Fiji. We are not used to this weather. That will make it tough."
Cain and his players are under pressure.
For the first time this season they must bounce back from successive losses to win their biggest game of the season.
"We have to go at them when we have the ball and shut them down when we don't," said Cain.
"And score goals that aren't disallowed."
It has all the ingredients of a classic contest. That one goal Waitakere did score in the first-up loss might prove crucial to their hopes of victory.
O-League Final
Second leg (1st leg, BA FC 2 Waitakere United 1).
Waitakere United v Ba FC (Fiji)
* Mt Smart Stadium 1, 2pm tomorrow
* Referee: Averii Jacques (Tahiti)
Waitakere: Michael Utting, Rupesh Puna, Graham Pearce, Danny Hay, Craig Wylie, Jeff Campbell, Hoani Edwards, Jakub Sinkora, Allan Pearce, Commins Menapi, Daniel Koprivcic. Substitutes: Simon Eaddy, George Suri, Sam Jasper, Hone Fowler, Prince Quansah, Pedro Santos, Michael Gwyther.
Ba: Laisenia Tuba, Shalen Lal, Roneel Kumar, Jone Wesikula, Keni Doidoi, Josaia Bukalidi, Ronald Chandra, Robert Wise, Peni Finau, Malakai Tiwa, Malakai Kainihewe. Substitutes: Avinesh Swamy, Leone Vurukania, Niumaia Tagi, Semesa Doidoi, Kiniviliame Kainehewe, Luke Vidovi, Osea Vakatalesau.
Odds
* Waitakere $1.55 draw $3.40 Ba $6.25
