The visitors hail from Fiji and, as there is a strong Fijian community in Auckland, have traditionally drawn large followings on their visits to New Zealand’s biggest city. Throw in the fact that the Waitakere ranks include Fijian international Roy Krishna – a hero in the eyes of many in his homeland – and it appears likely that a bumper crowd will come together at Fred Taylor Park for the key Group A clash.
Over 1500 tickets have already been pre-sold by Waitakere and the club has installed extra seating for 500 people to help deal with the demand.
The majority of the thousands gathered will be barracking for Ba, however, and Emblen knows dealing with such support for the opposition will be a big part of the challenge facing his players.
“With the number of tickets already sold – and with many of them snapped up by the Fijian supporters – it will be like a home game for them,” he says.
“We have to put that out of our minds and get on with the job in hand.”
The match is a replay of the 2007 O-League final, the second leg of which drew a crowd of nearly 10,000 to Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium. Waitakere won 1-0 to level the score 2-2 on aggregate and qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup on the away goals rule.
Waitakere officials are urging fans to turn up in plenty of time for the first O-League meeting of the sides since that dramatic final as car parking and viewing spots will be at a premium.
The “home” side go into the match in good O-League form – having broken records with a 10-0 win over Tefana on the opening day – but are coming off the back of a disappointing domestic result, a 3-1 loss at the hands of fierce rivals Auckland City.
The hugely impressive Tefana triumph went down as the highest ever winning margin in the history of the O-League but Emblen is expecting Sunday’s encounter to be much different.
“This game will be a huge step up from what we experienced against Tefana when, as a contest, it was over after five minutes when they had their goalkeeper sent off,” he says.
“And, unlike that game when we had a small crowd, we know there will be a huge turnout on Sunday.”
The Ba camp has remained largely tight-lipped about their preparations but Juan Carlos Buzzetti, reinstated this week as coaching director for the Fiji Football Association, feels the Men in Black have a good chance of earning a positive result against Waitakere.
“Ba have a very formidable and strong team,” he says. “They came from behind to win their first O-League game and if they manage to get a draw in Auckland that would be a plus.”
The Uruguayan highlights Krishna, who found the net five times in the dismantling of Tefana, as the player the Ba defence must be most wary of.
“Roy is a class player who possesses quality skills and has been playing for Waitakere for a long time now. He has developed into a complete player. But Waitakere should not be taking Ba lightly.”
2012 O-League Match Day 2
Waitakere United [NZL] vs. Ba [FIJ]
Sunday 20 November
Fred Taylor Park
Auckland, New Zealand
Local kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Norbert HAUATA [TAH]
Assistant referee 1: Mark RULE [NZL]
Assistant referee 2: Simon LOUNT [NZL]
Fourth official: Matt CONGER [NZL]
Waitakere United: 1. Danny ROBINSON [GK], 2. Jason ROWLEY, 3. Aaron SCOTT, 4. Tim MYERS, 7. Martin BULLOCK, 8. Chris BALE, 10. Allan PEARCE, 11. Ross McKENZIE, 12. Roy KRISHNA, 15. Gagame FENI, 16. Neil EMBLEN, 17. Jake BUTLER, 20. Ryan DE VRIES, 23. Jordan SWANEY, 24. Luke ADAMS, 25. Sean LOVEMORE, 27. Ross HAVILAND, 28. Andy RALPH [GK]
Coach: Neil EMBLEN
Ba: 1. Jone RALULU [GK], 2. Avinesh SUWAMY, 3. Shalen LAL, 4. Manueli KALOU, 5. Ronil KUMAR, 6. Jone VESIKULA, 8. Keni DOIDOI, 9. Josaia BUKALIDI, 11. Alvin SINGH, 13. Kini VILIAME, 14. Isimeli NARISIA, 15. Rinal PRASAD, 16. Malakai TIWA, 17. Malakai KAINIHEWE, 21. Josefata NEIBULI, 22. Epeli CODRO, 26. Marika MADIGI
Coach: Yogendra DUTT

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