Page 256 - NUAFC EBook

Ngaruawahia v Solomon Islands Match Report (Click to access)

It's with great pleasure I welcome Marist FC to Centennial Park
today. It Is a massive honour for Ngaruawahia United to host this friendly
international fixture.
We are very spoiled to be playing the National league Champion
of the Solomon Islands in a prestige friendly, and the magnitude of the
challenge Is obvious. We are giving up a great deal in experience and
probably match fitness with Marist completing three very tough matches
in a FIFA World Club Championship qualifying tournament with a prize
purse of $1.6 million US and a place in Tokyo...and we just scraped home
1-0 of the weekend against Te Atatu!
Our aim will be to earn respectability and to turn in a competitive
performance. The result is of secondary Importance and how we respond
to a much quicker pace and sustained pressure will be an interesting
aspect of the game and, no doubt, a very steep learning curve. It will us
stand in in good stead for the rest of the Northern League campaign and
perhaps help us against Beachlands Maraetai in the Chatham Cup 2nd
round on Saturday.
Richard and I watched Marist play AS Piraea of Tahiti last week
and were Impressed with one or two individual performances in what was
a very difficult match for Marist against a side that could qualify for
Tokyo. Abraham Iniga and Jack Samani had some nice touches and Iniha
scored a good late consolation goal.
Having played alongside and against Batram Suri, George Suri
and Francis Wasi, I know how good the Solomon Island players can be
and the performance against Auckland City was much improved.
This will be a tremendous &chance to forge new relationships
with the Solomon Island community and Marist FC, a chance for our
young players to measure themselves against same of the best in Oceania
and an opportunity to enjoy a unique midweek fixture.
I have some people to think. Firstly, Seamus Marten. Seamus has
been one of the best signings we have made. His contribution as a
goalkeeper, his contribution to the team spirit and his amazing work in
256 Auckland hove been absolute. How he