ASB National League
Dunedin, 2011-12

Can Lightning strike Twice ?
Rab Smith

Does lightning strike twice ? Is it conceivable that Otago United can dish out another defeat to Waitakere, when both ASB Premiership teams meet at Fred Taylor park on Sunday.

ASB champion Waitakere  suffered an upset loss last week to lowly Hawkes Bay, and the shock defeat could jeopardise coach Neil Emblen’s place in the Oceania League which goes to the two top ASB clubs.

Auckland is five points clear, ahead of a snarling pack of  Wellington, Canterbury and Waitakere, who are all on 15 points. And for a change, Waitakere’s presence in Pacific football and the World Club Cup championship is under threat.

Otago coach Richard Murray hopes to hoist his own lightning conductor when playing Waitakere. ‘ We will have a go at them. Why not ? All the pressure is on them,’ he said.

Brave words for a team decimated by defections to Australia and a waiting room full of injured players. Even defender Matt Joy, who could have been a key element in any Otago barricade, will be a spectator due to one week’s suspension for last week’s red card against Wellington.

Otago’s recent walking wounded are, defender Andrew Ridden, and targetmen James Govan and DonnieMacGregor, while Waitakere appears to have all hands on deck.

Schoolteacher Murray may even try an Agincourt speech to his team, it will certainly require a prodigious effort to blunt Emblen’s attacking machine which put six goals past Otago last time out.

Even the elements seem against Otago since Dunedin’s torrential downpour cancelled training this week, and a measure of Otago’s task is the chilling statistic that Waitakere has only lost once to Otago in 19 outings.

But there is a distant silver lining as striker Ant Hancock was declared fit after injury, and new signing Costa Rican Josemaria Cantillo, pictured right, , an attacking midfielder may make a start in this intimidating game.

Other recent additions to Otago’s squad are Aajay Cunningham, bristling with skills and keen to make his mark, and James Watson a classy defender still chasing match fitness, but with international Youth pedigree.

Coach Murray said,’ Last week the Bay got in their face, and frustrated them ( Waitakere ) and we will attempt the same. Adopt a high line in defence, condense play and hope to snatch a goal or two…’

‘ Sure we have lost some experienced players but this Otago squad has shown lots of spirit, and maybe some of our ‘breakthrough’ players can make a name for themselves.’

Otago Squad : 1-Oswaldo RODRIGUEZ (GK), 2- Liam LOCKHART, 3- Tristan PRATTLEY (c),4- Jude FITZPATRICK, 6-Morgan DAY, 7-Regan COLDICOTT, 8- Seamus RYDER, 10- Ant HANCOCK, 14- Sam MEPHAM, 18- Harley RODEKA, 19- Zac RATHBONE, 20- Matt BROOK, 21- Jose CANTILLO, 22- Peter EVANS (GK), 23- Joel STEVENS, 25- Craig FERGUSON.

Waitakere Squad list: 1-Danny ROBINSON (GK), 2- Jason ROWLEY, 4-Tim MYERS, 7- Martin BULLOCK, 8-Chris BALE, 10-Allan PEARCE, 11- Ross McKENZIE, 12-Roy KRISHNA, 14- Andy BEVIN, 15- Gagame FENI, 16-Neil EMBLEN, 17-Jake BUTLER (C), 22- Matt UPTON (GK), 25- Sean LOVEMORE, 29- Jordan VALE, 30- Rory TURNER.