Match Preview

Southern United vs Hawke’s Bay United
Sunnyvale Park, Dunedin
Sunday 10 March, 11am
#ISPSHandaPrem #SUvHB

Referee: A Wilson
Assistant Referees: A Verolino, J Henderson
Fourth Official: L Robinson

Squads

Southern United: 16. Liam LITTLE GK, 2. Conor O’KEEFFE (c), 4. Stephen LAST, 5. Erik PANZER, 6. Daniel LEDWITH, 8. Anthony WHITEHEAD, 9. Garbhan COUGHLAN, 10. Abdulla AL-KALISY, 11. Ben DEELEY, 13. Azariah SOROMON, 18. Markus FJØRTOFT, 1. Stewart CATTO (GK), 3. Adam HEWSON, 7. Samuel PICKERING, 14. Alexander COX, 15. Rory FINDLAY
Coach: Paul O’Reilly

Hawke’s Bay United: 1. Mackenzie WAITE GK, 4. Cameron LINDSAY, 8. Paul IFILL, 10. Sho GOTOJPN, 11. Maxime OLIVERI, 14. Birhanu TAYE (c), 16. Gavin HOYCAN, 19. Luis TOOMEY, 20. Josh MURPHY, 22. Karan MANDAIR, 23. Jorge AKERS, 26. Alexander BRITTON GK, 5. Kaeden ATKINS, 18. Tai BARHAM, 21. Harry MASON

Coach: Brett Angell

Lowdown

Southern United are on the brink of firmly establishing themselves as the best side outside of the top four as they look likely to finish fifth for the second consecutive season. Missing out on the play-offs for two years running may not be considered success by some but, given Southern’s history as one of the whipping boys of the league, it signals significant progress. They have already equalled last season’s win tally of six and will see this as a good opportunity to edge past that mark. The only real positive for Hawke’s Bay this season has been the form of golden boot leader Sam Mason-Smith but he has now departed for Australia so, given the leaky nature of the visitors’ defence, it may prove tricky for them to get anything out of this game.

#UnitedWeStand