Tribulietx expects Lilywhites overhaul
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - A new-look Eastern Suburbs AFC with an infusion of technical DNA is what the Navy Blues can expect when they head to Madills Farm for their latest pre-season friendly on Saturday.
Former All Whites Danny Hay and Declan Edge have joined forces this season as the Lilywhites add a clutch of players from the Ole Academy in Wellington.
The Navy Blues have met the Lilywhites five times in the ISPS Handa Premiership since their Auckland rivals return to the top flight and boast a 100 percent winning record including last season's thumping 4-0 semi-final victory against an albeit depleted Suburbs outfit.
Coach Ramon Tribulietx is excited about the prospect of the changes that could be seen at Eastern Suburbs AFC in a technical and tactical sense given the overall physical nature of the ISPS Handa Premiership.
"A lot of things will change for Eastern Suburbs with Declan Edge arriving and a lot of the Ole Academy players joining the club.
"We can expect a team that will keep the ball very well. They'll be a young team but made up of players with a particular football DNA.
"They play with an eye on the ball and understand how to move it. They've been doing this since they were 12-13 years of age.
"How they move the ball will be very effective. They've been doing it since they started playing football.
"They'll be a very good team and with players like Tim Payne and Andre de Jong in there they are going to be very competitive.
"They've got the ball in their blood and they'll be very effective in this league. On Saturday they'll challenge us for the ball and it's good to have a challenge like this in our league," Tribulietx told www.aucklandcityfc.com
The Navy Blues can expect to see Dan Morgan return to the squad after he was rested in last week's 0-0 draw with Canterbury United at Auckland Grammar.
"Dan Morgan was more of a cautious approach. He has a niggle and we decided to rest him and especially necause we were playing on turf.
"If you don't sort out pre-season niggles early you can end up dragging them into your campaign. We're hopeful Dan can play this Saturday," he added.
Auckland City FC confirmed the signing of Vanuatu international Brian Kaltak yesterday and expect talismanic goalkeeper Enaut Zubikarai to join the squad from Spain by the end of the week after his visa was approved by the relevant authorities.
"Zubikarai is training back home to keep himself fit and he wants to be in New Zealand and working with the players here as soon as possible.
"He's received his visa and he will be in New Zealand by Saturday at the latest and that's good news for everyone connected with the club, " Tribulietx said.
The match kicks off at 2.30pm on Saturday 6 October 2018 at Madills Farm.
Ends
Match Details
Saturday 6 October 2018
Eastern Suburbs AFC v Auckland City FC
Madills Farm, Kohimarama
Kick-off: 2.30pm NZST
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Player Profiles
Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 15 |
| 2 |  | WS | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 12 |
| 3 |  | BU | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 9 |
| 4 |  | BO | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| 5 |  | MN | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 7 |
| 6 |  | AU | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 |  | ES | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| 8 |  | TC | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 3 |
| 9 |  | MU | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 3 |
| 10 |  | WR | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 2 |
| 11 |  | HW | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 1 |
| 12 |  | EB | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
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