O-LEAGUE PREVIEW: WAITAKERE UNITED v. AS MANU URA

AS Manu Ura coach Pita Teivitau will not change his team’s approach to Wednesday’s 2008 O-League clash with Waitakere United despite the Tahitian’s 6-0 defeat to
Auckland City FC in Saturday’s competition opener in Henderson.

Manu Ura were a distant second to the Group A pace-setters after captain and first choice goalkeeper Daniel Tapeta was red carded for bundling Jeff Campbell down in the
penalty area after 31 minutes of the O-League season.

Teivitau said AS Manu Ura’s commitment to playing in an open and attacking way remained steadfast and believed his team would adapt to the challenge presented by Chris
Milicich’s team despite never having seen Waitakere United play.

“I have heard Waitakere United are stronger than Auckland City FC and have more experience but we will decide on the day what we will do,” Teivitau said.

“We will not pack the defence and hope for the best,” he added.

Replacement goalkeeper Jonathan Torohia was less optimistic about AS Manu Ura’s chances of causing a major upset on Wednesday but said the team possessed the talent to
cause problems for Waitakere United.

“Playing in the O-League is difficult and has an effect on defending the Division Federale. We will have to be more physical and win the individual battles against
Waitakere United if we want to win,” Torohia said.

AS Manu Ura have won two and drawn one in Tahiti’s Division Federale this season and progressed to the quarter-finals of the Coupe de Polynesie-Francaise but found the
going a lot tougher against a well-drilled Auckland City FC at the weekend.

“Auckland City FC were very professional, very well organised and a very strong team. I was impressed by Grant Young,” Teivitau said.

“We had one or two strong performers such as Auguste Washetine but with ten men it was too difficult.”

AS Manu Ura’s only selection problem is in goal where Jonathan Torohia will take up the gloves in place of influential skipper Daniel Tapeta.

Teivitau said there was one other injury concern to his outfield selection but would not be drawn on whether this would mean a change.

“We will take a look at things closer to the time. We had one injury during training that I am not so sure about at this moment,” Teivitau said.

Waitakere United coach Chris Milicich is confident his team can do enough to secure their first 2008 O-League points.

Included in United’s squad for the match are no less than five former Auckland City FC players with Neil Sykes, Jason Hayne, Jonathan Perry, Matt Cuneen and Richard
Gillespie all named.

Former New Zealand Knights and Walsall professionals Neil Emblen and Darren Bazeley line-up alongside former Knights colleague Danny Hay in a defensive proposition that
is sure to be miserly.

In attack the Solomon Islands pair of Commins Menapi and Benjamin Totori will pose AS Manu Ura problems if, as coach Pita Teivitau plans, they employ a game plan based
on attack.

“Preparation has been good albeit we would have enjoyed another competitive match before Wednesday but we will make do.

I have the sort of headache most coaches wish for, one based on who to leave out rather than who to include.

With only a few minor niggles to worry about, I have most of my squad on deck and available for selection.”

2008 O-LEAGUE

GROUP A

MATCH DAY 2

Waitakere United (NZL) vs. AS Manu Ura (TAH)

31st October, 2007

Fred Taylor Park,

Whenuapai

KICK-OFF: 4:00PM (NZT)

Live text updates available from www.oceaniafootball.com

WAITAKERE UNITED: (from)1. Richard GILLESPIE [gk]; 2. Jonathan PERRY; 3. Shane PASCOE; 4. Matt CUNNEEN; 5. Danny HAY (c); 6. Darren BAZELEY; 7. Jason HAYNE; 8. Commins
MENAPI; 9. Benjamin TOTORI; 10. Allan PEARCE; 11. Neil SYKES; 13. Daniel KOPRIVCIC; 14. Hoani EDWARDS; 15. Chris BALE; 16. Neil EMBLEN; 17. Jake BUTLER; 20. Jason ROWLEY; 22. Simon EADDY
[gk].

Coach: Chris MILICICH

AS MANU URA: (from)3. Rex FAURA; 4. Jean Yves LY WAUT; 5. Phillipe MORETTA; 6. Tamatoa TAUIHARA; Adrien TAERO; 7. Henri TAPEA; 14. Stephane TUAIRAU; 8. Vetea
TEPA; 10. Auguste WASHETINE; 11. Hiashi KAKE; 1. Jonathan TOROHIA; 12. Hiroana POROIAE; 15. Vetea TETUANUI; 16. Daniel TAPETA [gk]; 18. Dave PENI; 20. Billy MATAITAI; 22. Temarama TAUIHARA; 23. Jean
Paul FAURA

Coach: Teivitau PITO

2008 O-LEAGUE – GROUP A