Waitakere face struggling Canterbury

Waitakere United may be flying high on the back of an unbeaten 8 match run in the NZFC but their fortunes couldn’t contrast more greatly than those of their opponent this weekend Canterbury United.

Canterbury have plummeted from play off challengers to cellar dwellers and without a win so far in the 2007/08 season but Waitakere Head Coach Chris Milicich is preaching caution to his players.

“This is a game that requires total concentration and focus from the players. To relax would be fatal against a side that will be hugely motivated to prove a point to outsiders and reward the faith of their coach. A side such as Canterbury will not go much longer before they win; we must make sure it is not against us.”

Waitakere will travel with just the four players on the bench this weekend, something that doesn’t concern Milicich.

“We have great depth in the squad but also great flexibility and to be honest, having three or four outfield players on the bench does not make a great deal of difference.”

Waitakere will travel without a number of key players with Danny Hay, Darren Bazeley and Graham Pearce not available for the trip South, meaning an almost certain defensive role for utility Neil Emblen.

Neil Sykes joins those on the injured list with a torn hamstring likely to keep him out for a few weeks while Mikael Munday and Shane Pascoe are gone for the season with knee injuries.

The match is the second of two away games before Waitakere returns to Fred Taylor Park for the much anticipated clash with Auckland City on Saturday 26th January.


Squad of 16: 1 Richard Gillespie, 2 Jonathan Perry, Matt Cuneen, 7 Jason Hayne, 8 Commins Menapi, 9 Benjamin Totori, 10 Allan Pearce, 13 Daniel Koprivcic, 14 Hoani Edwards, 15 Chris Bale, 16 Neil Emblen, 17 Jake Butler, 20 Jason Rowley, 22 Simon Eaddy, 33 Paul Seaman



Canterbury United v Waitakere United

Sunday 20th January, 4pm KO

English Park

Christchurch