Match Week 17 of the ISPS Handa Premiership takes place this weekend, check out what’s in store with the official preview.

Tasman United vs Southern United
Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Sunday 17 February, 1.30pm (please note time differs from originally scheduled)
#ISPSHandaPrem #TUvSU 

Referee: P Linney
Assistant Referees: R Preston, S Reilly
Fourth Official: R Malcolm

Squads

Tasman United: 20. Nick Stanton (GK), 2. Sam Ayers, 3. Ed Sillars, 4. Thomas Hickey, 5. Fox Slotemaker, 6. Bertie Fish, 7. Corey Larsen, 8. Matt Tod-Smith, 12. Ahmed Othman, 13. James McClay, 15. Konan Hey, 23. Keegan Smith (GK), 24. Liam MacDevitt, 25. Jake Williams, 26. Joe Ellul
Coach: Andy Hedge

Southern United: 1. Stewart Catto (GK), 2. Conor O’Keeffe, 3. Alexander Cox, 4. Stephen Last, 5. Erik Panzer, 6. Danny Ledwith, 7. Sam Pickering, 8. Tony Whitehead, 9. Garbhan Coughlan, 10. Abdulla Al-Kalisy, 11. Ben Deeley, 12. Adam Hewson, 13. Azariah Soromon, 14. Antony Cibilich, 16. Liam Little (GK), 18. Markus Fjortfoft
Coach: Paul O’Reilly

Lowdown

Southern are now the only team outside the current top four to have any chance of breaking into the play-off spots but it is really just a mathematical one as it would take a remarkable turn of events for that to unfold. To give themselves any hope at all, Paul O’Reilly’s side would need maximum points from all of their remaining matches so the full reward here is a must. Southern received a shot of confidence mid-week in becoming the first side to take a point off minor premiers Auckland City while Tasman, who have won just three times, may be rusty after not playing for over a fortnight.

Canterbury United Dragons vs Team Wellington
English Park, Christchurch
Sunday 17 February, 2pm
#ISPSHandaPrem #CUvTW

Referee: B O’Connell
Assistant Referees: C Gruschow, M Love
Fourth Official: R Mahalm

Squads

Canterbury United Dragons: 1. Edward Ashton (GK), 3. Aaron Spain, 5. Tom Schwarz, 6. Gary Ogilvie, 8. Luke Tongue, 9. Maksym Kowal, 10. Adam Thurston, 12. Daniel McHenery, 14. Sean Liddicoat, 15. Andreas Wilson, 16. Cory Mitchell, 17. Stephen Hoyle, 19. Haris Zeb, 20. Jacob Richards, 21. Seth Clark, 22. Conor Tracey (GK)
Coach: Willy Gerdsen

Team Wellington: 1. Scott Basalaj (GK), 4. Mario Ilich, 6. Taylor Schrijvers, 7. Eric Molloy, 8. Henry Cameron, 10. Nathanael Hailemariam, 12. Andrew Bevin, 13. Daniel Mulholland, 14. Jack-Henry Sinclair, 15. Joel Stevens, 16. Angus Kilkolly, 17. Alex Palezevic, 18. Aaron Clapham, 19. Ross Allen, 22. Marcel Kampman (GK)
Coach: Jose Figueira

Lowdown

Wellington have already booked a berth in the play-offs while Canterbury have all but done likewise but there is still much to play for as both will want a home semi-final. Auckland City have claimed one but the other is still up for grabs with Wellington locked on points with Eastern Suburbs and Canterbury just four points behind. This is therefore a crucial match, particularly for Canterbury as a defeat would rule out a home semi-final.  Wellington have lost Justin Gulley, Mario Barcia, Hamish Watson and Scott Hilliar in recent days but have added All Whites experience in firstly Joel Stevens and now Adam Mitchell.

Quotes

Jose Figueira (Team Wellington coach): “It’s always tough to try and bring in the right person and replace those who have left with quality but in Adam Mitchell I believe we have both. Canterbury always represent a tricky challenge, they are a consistent top-four team and have once again proved that this season. A very well-organised and robust team, they have added some quality in the attacking department to complement the experienced faces.”

Auckland City vs Hamilton Wanderers
Kiwitea Street, Auckland
Sunday 17 February, 4.35pm
#ISPSHandaPrem #ACvHW
Live on SKY Sport

Referee: A Wilson
Assistant Referees: S Merriman, L Agnew
Fourth Official: M Batoor

Squads

Auckland City: 1. Enaut Zubikarai (GK), 2. Darren White, 4. Mario Bilen, 5. Angel Berlanga, 6. Brian Kaltak, 7. Cameron Howieson, 8. Albert Riera, 9. Javier Lopez, 10. Micah Lea’alafa, 11. Fabrizio Tavano, 12. Dylan Manickum, 14. Jordan Vale, 16. Yousif Ali, 18. Ruben Parker (GK), 21. Maro Bonsu-Maro, 23. Alfie Rogers
Coach: Ramon Tribulietx

Hamilton Wanderers: 1. Matt Oliver (GK), 2. James Hoyle, 3. Joe Nottage, 5. Stafford Dowling, 7. Martin Maybin, 9. Martin Bueno, 10. Rhys Ruka, 13. Tommy Semmy, 15. Joseph Terry, 17. Xavier Pratt, 19. Adam Luque, 20. Derek Tieku, 23. Jonathan Mannes (GK)
Coach: Ricki Herbert

Lowdown

Hamilton have very much had a season of two halves, picking up 16 of their 17 points before the festive break. That untimely loss of form has now cost them a place in the play-offs after their hopes were officially extinguished with a 4-2 defeat to Canterbury last weekend. With Auckland having already secured a home semi-final, there is therefore not much riding on the outcome here but the hosts do have their proud unbeaten record to protect while Hamilton will be aiming to prove they are the best of the rest by recapturing their pre-Christmas form.

Quotes

Ramon Tribulietx (Auckland City coach): “Hamilton Wanderers are capable of scoring a lot of goals with Tieku, Beuno and Semmy. But on the defensive side of things they’ve had problems and I’ve seen games where they’ve scored three but conceded four. They always manage to score but they concede a lot in transition. A team like Hamilton can be very dangerous on a small pitch like Kiwitea Street. If you give the ball away a team can hurt you with one pass in the middle third and they’re already in the penalty box.”

Article added: Friday 15 February 2019