YoungHeart will start as underdogs

YoungHeart Manawatu coach Bob Sova says his team are underdogs this weekend despite Waitakere United having two key players out and his side having had a huge opening-day win.

YoungHeart host the northerners at Memorial Park on Sunday in their second match of the season, while Waitakere have played three times across the O-League and New Zealand Football Championship.

Sova likened the clash to Aston Villa meeting Chelsea in the English Premiership, because even when Villa play well, Chelsea have more depth.

"Until the day we can match them on a resources level I'll always put them [Waitakere] as favourites," he said.

"Training's all good. There's no problems there. Everyone realises it's going to be a big ask even with [Jeremy] Christie out.

"I think if our guys could get a result that'd be a bonus."

Waitakere are without former Wellington Phoenix midfielder Christie and right back Aaron Scott, who will be collecting splinters on the bench for the All Whites in Wellington.

Sova said he was more concerned about their attacking prowess with former YoungHeart striker Benjamin Totori, Allan Pearce and Brent Fisher up front.

"Their strength is definitely their attack without a doubt. That's what they're all about," he said.

"Our job is going to have to be to contain them and if we do I think we are in with a chance."

Striker Roy Krishna, who trialled for the Phoenix this year, will also be in the mix after sitting on the bench in Waitakere's opening, 1-0 win over Canterbury.

YoungHeart will use the same 16 they took to Newtown Park two weeks ago when they hammered Team Wellington, 4-0.

That means Desmond Faaiuaso and James Thomas won't be required, while Sova wouldn't be drawn on whether star midfielder Raf de Gregorio would start after he provided a cameo off the bench against Wellington.

Golden-boot leader Seule Soromon will be YoungHeart's best goal-scoring option after he bagged four against Wellington.

Sova said the team's biggest issue was not playing last week because they wanted to carry on their momentum after a first-up win.

Waitakere United player-coach Neil Emblen said Scott and Christie were big losses to his side and they hadn't played their best soccer yet.

"We've not played as well as I'd have liked, but we are still unbeaten in three and have two wins," he said. "On paper YoungHeart have got a very good squad so we obviously respect them."

As for whether he will play, he had a bob each way and hadn't confirmed his starting XI.

"I still really enjoy playing, the thing is in the last couple of years I've been-injury free," Emblen said. "But there's lots of players, a lot of people in training are sticking their hand up."

Kickoff is at 2pm and entry is $5.

YoungHeart Manawatu (from): Ross Nicholson, Nobuyoshi Ishi, Colin Falvey, Matt Kennedy, Raf de Gregorio, Nathan Cooksley, Seule Soromon, Adam Cowan, Scott Robson, Marco Paracchini, Takayuki Omi, Matt Borren, Jimmy Haidakis, Cory Chettleburgh, Daniel Benson, Campbell Banks.

Waitakere United (from): Danny Robinson, Jason Rowley, Tim Myers, Martin Bullock, Brent Fisher, Benjamin Totori, Allan Pearce, Neil Sykes, Roy Krishna, Dimas da Silva, Neil Emblen, Jake Butler, Zane Sole, Dakota Lucas, Keegan Linderboom, Liam Little.

- © Fairfax NZ News