When? 28 November, 1 pm kick off

Where? Seddon Fields, Auckland

What happened last time?

Waitakere United and Team Wellington met just the once last season, as COVID-19 robbed them of a second meeting. Their game at Seddon Fields finished as a 1-1 draw as Hamish Watson’s 90+4’ goal cancelled out Dane Schnell’s opener.

They say

Paul ‘Hobbo’ Hobson, Waitakere United head coach:

"We’re looking to bounce back quickly after last week's disappointing result. Team Wellington will obviously provide a tough challenge but one we will be ready for."

Scott Hales, Team Wellington head coach:
“I can't recall in the last five years that we've taken six points from our opening two games. For the players that have been here for that period, even they've made some comments around it. So [our start] has been well-received within the squad even though we're not playing at our potential yet. We’re looking to start embedding a little bit more of who we are while we play. But obviously getting results is important.

“This weekend we’re expecting a really tough battle, [Waitakere] are a tough, tough place to go. We’re expecting a high energy game, a high pressing game against a team that plays a similar system and shape to us. So lots of one-v-one battles all over the park. We’re expecting a tough encounter up in Auckland, it was tough up there last year. We know they’re a good side and have done some recruitment as well, so it's going to be a tough game. But we're working to just keep that snowball effect going and to just keep building as we go through the season.”

Squads as at Friday 27 November

Waitakere United

1 Nicholas DRAPER ENG GK 2 Regont MURATI 4 Luke SEARLE 6 Dane SCHNELL 7 Alex CONNOR-MCCLEAN 10 Sam BURFOOT 11 Alexander GREIVE GBR 15 Leon VAN DEN HOVEN 19 Shuiab KHAN 21 Andrew CROMB 24 Nathan LOBO 22 Elliot MUNFORD GK 8 Gerard GARRIGA GIBERT ESP 14 Zac ZORICICH 17 Joshua REDFEARN 18 Nicolas ZAMBRANO CHI

Team Wellington

1 Scott BASALAJ GK C 2 Justin GULLEY 4 Taylor SCHRIJVERS 6 Scott MIDGLEY 8 Samuel MASON-SMITH ENG 9 Hamish WATSON 10 Nathanael HAILEMARIAM 11 Mario BARCIA ARG 16 Ben MATA 20 Wan GATKEK 23 Rory MCKEOWN IRL 22 Keegan SMITH GK 3 Aaron SPAIN 7 Joao MOREIRA POR 12 Andrew BEVIN 15 Owen BARNETT 17 Alex PALEZEVIC 19 Jake WILLIAMS

Officials

Referee: John ROWBURY Assistant referee 1: Hayden TUTBURY Assistant referee 2: Charlie TSENG 4th official: Luke GARDNER

Article added: Friday 27 November 2020