WaiBOP United’s youth team heads to the heart of the Wairarapa on Saturday for their latest game in the 2015 ASB Youth League. Heartland Wairarapa are our hosts and both sides have more than a bit to play for.
Youth team head coach, Michael Built, was pleased his side bounced back with a win over Auckland United last Sunday, and expects even better from his team this weekend. “We weren’t really at our best against Auckland United, but we got the result we needed,” said Built. “Whether it was a hangover from the defeat in Wellington, or the boys taking them a bit lightly, I’m not sure. Maybe a bit of both, but it doesn’t really matter now. We got the win, we’re still in the mix, and we fly south with confidence.”
A win will ensure we keep pace at the top of an extremely tight 2015 ASB Youth League table. “I say it every week, and it’s probably getting a bit boring, but this is another must win game for us,” said Built. “They are every week. We’ve got a bit of work to do to catch Team Wellington, but if we’re to do that we have to focus on this game in isolation, get the result, then do the same next week. And so on. I’m a big believer in paying attention to the things you can control. We can control our attitude, intensity, concentration. Technically the boys are good enough, so if we get the other stuff right then I’m confident we’ll do well.”
Heartland Wairarapa currently sit eleventh in the twelve team league and will be wanting a couple of wins to claw themselves away from the wooden spoon position. “They’ll be dangerous, for sure,” said Built. “Every team is. We saw that with Auckland United, who didn’t play like a team near the bottom. Wairarapa are clearly strong at home. They picked up a point there against Auckland City last weekend, and beat Auckland United 2-0 prior to that, so we’ll have to be on it right from the first whistle.”
