Navy Blues wary of Wanderers
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC's Stirling Sports Premiership chase faces a tricky test as they meet Hamilton Wanderers in the first of two clashes between the teams at Porritt Stadium on Wednesday.
The Navy Blues face Hamilton Wanderers again on Sunday then Southern United the following Wednesday in what shapes as three must win games if the Kiwitea Street men are to stamp their authority on the minor premiership title jostle.
Coach Ramon Tribulietx was pleased with the way his side played in their 2-0 win over the Wellington Phoenix U-20 courtesy of a stunning strike by Fabrizio Tavano and a penalty from Clayton Lewis.
But the Navy Blues missed at least as many other scoring opportunities which could be a factor with Team Wellington, Eastern Suburbs AFC, Canterbury United and Hawke's Bay United seperated by only a four point spread.
Tribulietx says Hamilton Wanderers remain a team to be wary of with the Mark Cossey-coached side able to point to a 4-0 win over Eastern Suburbs AFC and a 6-4 win over Hawke's Bay United as proof of their credentials.
"The Hamilton Wanderers clash is a tricky game for us. Wanderers have had a lot of up and downs this season with some very good results yet others not so good but they do look like a side capable of performing well against good sides and we need to be wary of that.
"They have used a lot of different players since the start of the season as well as having played the game in different ways.
"They’ve used different formations that from a back three to a back four; they have pace to burn and tricky players in their front line like Papua New Guinea international striker Raymond Gunemba who command respect.
"Ignacio Machuca has also moved down there from the Junior Navy Blues set-up. We’ll need to show the same positivity we displayed in the win over the Wellington Phoenix U-20 to get a positive result," he said.
The match kicks off at 5.30pm at Porritt Stadium tomorrow.
The two teams meet again on Sunday 19 February at Kiwitea Street with a 4.35pm kick-off time.
Ends
Match Details
Stirling Sports Premiership
Wednesday 15 February 2017
Hamilton Wanderers v Auckland City FC
Porritt Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 5.30pm
#HWvAC
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Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 7 | 18 |
| 2 |  | WS | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 6 | 18 |
| 3 |  | BU | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 13 |
| 4 |  | ES | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 | 12 |
| 5 |  | BO | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
| 6 |  | MN | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 10 |
| 7 |  | AU | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 9 |
| 8 |  | TC | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 19 | 6 |
| 9 |  | MU | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 25 | 3 |
| 10 |  | WR | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 2 |
| 11 |  | EB | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 2 |
| 12 |  | HW | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 18 | 2 |
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