Squad depth set for test

Words: ACFC Media

Thursday 23 March 2017

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC coach Ramon Tribulietx faces reality of Stirling Sports Premiership semi-final clash with Hawke's Bay United without three of his top performers on Saturday.

All Whites international Clayton Lewis, striker Joao Moreira and midfielder Fabrizio Tavano are ruled out of Tribulietx's Navy Blue plans due to national team duty and suspension.

Hawke's Bay United are in the midst of a superb run of form with seven wins out of their last eight games and can point to their last meeting with Auckland City FC in which they notched a come-from-behind 2-1 win at Bluewater Stadium in Napier last month.

Tribulietx - whose team are in line for a record breaking seventh National League title if they can this season's grand final - come into the game fresh from OFC Champions League exertions where they knocked over Western United (2-1), Lae City Dwellers (2-0) and Malampa Revivors (11-0).

Focus has not been a problem for Auckland City FC as they enter the home straight of a season where they could end up playing just under 40 matches.

"We’re delighted to have won the minor premiership to secure our spot in next season’s OFC Champions League but we must put that aside to focus on what becomes a very different challenge – a knock-out domestic semi-final in what is essentially a Cup competition format.

"Hawke’s Bay United have become a difficult opponent in recent seasons having developed a very well structured team that can get players behind the ball then look to cause problems on the counter attack or in transition.

"It goes without saying this semi-final is going to be a tough one.

"Hawke’s Bay United are always a difficult side in one-off games because they tend to defend deep and it makes imposing our style very difficult," Tribulietx said.

Leading the charge for Hawke's Bay United are a clutch of players who have made a big impression on the domestic front during this campaign.

Tribulietx is a big admirer of two in particular but says ultimately Auckland City FC's destiny is within their own control.

"Sam Mason-Smith and Angus Kilkolly are players who thrive in this sort of match and are very effective when the game is in transition.

"Set-plays also present us with a challenge so this is an encounter where we have to be switched on at all moments of the game, not just defensively, but also when we have the ball.

"This quality will be key to our chances in this game," he said.

With the number of matches piling up, Tribulietx is demanding his team draw on the same resilience they've shown throughout the campaign.

"We have come through an intense period of activity with a lot of big games against a wide variety of football styles from Hong Kong to Japan, New Zealand and the styles that feature in the OFC Champions League.

"What gives us all great encouragement is our response each time.

"We have imposed our rhythm and style and dominated games with patience, a quality we consider of the utmost importance to us.

"This virtue is something we need to employ on Saturday alongside the usual physical and psychological demands," he said.

Hawke's Bay United's record in Stirling Sports Premiership semi-finals isn't one to write home about.

The Bay has played in seven last four jousts and won just once, a 4-3 away victory over Team Wellington in the second leg of a tie they eventually won on the away goals rule that saw them through to their only grand final back in March 2015.

They lost that grand final to Auckland City FC at Kiwitea Street 2-1 after they had taken an early lead through Ryan Tinsley.

The match kicks off at Kiwitea Street on Saturday 25 March with a kick-off time of 4.05pm.

Ends

Match Details
Stirling Sports Premiership
Semi-Final
Saturday 25 March 2017
Auckland City FC v Hawke's Bay United
Kiwitea Street, Auckland
Kick-off: 4.05pm
#AUvHB