Setback for YoungHeart

Youngheart Manawatu's season had another disruption with Sunday's match against Auckland City postponed.

A shortage of seats on flights out of the United Arab Emirates meant the Auckland squad would not arrive back in New Zealand in time.

Auckland were to play off for fifth place in the Fifa club World Cup against African champions TP Mazembe (from the Congo) this morning.

This comes after a string of issues YoungHeart have faced this season, such as a stop-start match schedule to allow Auckland and Waitakere to play in their Oceania League matches.

They were also forced to fly to Auckland on the morning of a match against Waikato in Ngaruawahia.

YoungHeart Manawatu coach Bob Sova said his hands were tied on the issue.

"It's disappointing, that's all I can say," he said. "You can train [this weekend] but the game now isn't for three weeks away and it's Otago, not Auckland."

The NZFC goes on a break this week during the Christmas and New Year period and YoungHeart host Otago United at Memorial Park on January 9.

YoungHeart are third on the NZFC ladder behind Auckland on goal difference. Since the season began on November 1, they have played five games.

The match against Auckland will be rescheduled for early next year.

- © Fairfax NZ News