ASB National League
Dunedin, 2011-12
Otago Action
Weakened Otago faces Waikato
Rab Smith
A weakened Otago United will face Waikato this week in the ASB Premiership match at the Forsyth Barr stadium in Dunedin, on Sunday at high noon.
Two star performers, Mike Cunningham and Tom Connor will be thousands of miles away, trying to break into the Melbourne football scene.
Mike had already tasted exotic style with a stint in the US, and for Tom it’s a splash into the unknown – but both are likely to become a pleasant Christmas package for some lucky Aussie coach.
Another highly valued player, Darren Overton also has his bags packed and will leave for OZ after Sunday’s game, The impressive range of skills he has shown for Otago and Caversham in the winter league – has made him a crowd favourite.
A box to box player with stamina and pace, Overton can go past players, threads passes, and has scored some memorable goals in Dunedin. Again a belated festive gift for some lucky Australian coach.
Centreback Matt Joy could also be sidelined on Sunday, due to a toe injury - but a late fitness test will decide the centrebacks fate. The big defender has improved out of sight this season, and now may have to endure the frustration of watching from a distance.
So its up to Richard Murray the magician, to conjure up some worthy replacements to face Waikato in what is a critically important match for both sides.
Otago – despite squandering one point through inept admin – sits equal in fourth place with Wellington on nine points.
The ambitious Waikato needs to improve on its three ASB points to stay in the hunt for a Top Four finish. Otago may have a psychological edge after a 1-nil win and a 2-2 draw with 
Waikato last season.
Clearly, this is a big match for both sides.
Leadership on the park is vital, and even despite a recent bout of 'flu, Otago can rely on Tristan Prattley’s pace and delivery coming from deep defence, but its Otago’s bundle of barbed wire in midfield that might swing the match.
Possibly the blues most improved player, Morgan Day, pic left with Harley, in full flight he has a touch of the Billy Bremner about him. He combines reckless courage with superb technique, and for a little guy he has scored diving headers that amaze.
Day’s likely partner in midfield smash and grab could be Seamus Ryder whose explosive pace frightens defenders, and similarly swift is Regan Coldicott – back from lengthy injury, and regaining his warp speed.
Coach Murray certainly has some exciting options, but will also need a stable team shape, fanning out from veteran keeper Peter Evans and with steady Scot Craig Ferguson holding the reins.
Of course Waikato coach Declan Edge, pic left, will aim to splinter Otago’s team shape with his sharp passing game, from a truly talented squad of top young technicians.
Northern press said of Edge,’ An advocate of the Lionel Messi and Barcelona philosophy of playing a crisp passing game to work the ball into the 18m box, rather than hoofing the ball up front and having a roving striker scavenging on the foundation of a bunker mentality, Edge says his team wants "to entertain, play fair and win games''.
After their 2-0 White Ribbon Cup victory over the Bay in Taupo, Waikato have bolstered their ranks with former New Zealand under-20 midfielder/captain Michael Mayne in a squad of predominantly teenagers.
Mayne and possibly Jason Hicks – who has been round the block a few times, and opened the scoring in Waikato’s 3-1 win over Manawatu – should be Waikato’s key players.
So it’s the extrovert Edge, versus magician Murray on Sunday, with each coach having targeted the match as a win – and both can’t be right….
Otago Squad List: 1-Oswaldo RODRIGUEZ (GK), 2- Liam LOCKHART, 3- Tristan PRATTLEY (c),4- Jude FITZPATRICK, 5- Matt JOY, 6-Morgan DAY, 7-Regan COLDICOTT, 8- Seamus RYDER, 9- Donnie MacGREGOR, 10- Ant HANCOCK, 11- James GOVAN, 14- Sam MEPHAM, 15- Darren OVERTON, 18- Harley RODEKA,20- Matt BROOK, 22- Peter EVANS (GK), 23- Joel STEVENS, 25- Craig FERGUSON
Waikato Squad list: 1- Mark FULCHER (GK), 2- Tyler LISSETTE, 3- Jesse SMITH, 4- Mohammed AWAD, 6- Mike KRAMER, 7- Jason HICKS, 8- Matteo BALLAN, 10- Adam THOMAS (c), 14- Josh GREENE, 15- Jesse EDGE, 16- Ray HOW, 17- Michael MAYNE, 19- Harry EDGE, 21- Tyler BOYD, 24- Ryan THOMAS, 25- Danyon DRAKE .
| Auckland | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 4 | 16 | 15 |
| Waitakere | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 12 |
| Canterbury | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| Wellington | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 9* |
| Otago | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 13 | -7 | 9* |
| H.Bay United | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 4 |
| Waikato FC | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 18 | -13 | 3 |
| Manawatu | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 19 | -14 | 0 |