Coach's Pre-game Report ROUND 1

Welcome to Onatangi Sports Park!

As we kick off our season today, we extend a warm welcome to all our supporters and guests. Before we begin, we'd like to extend our gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the preparations for today's match. A special thank you goes out to all the volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make match days possible. We are also immensely grateful to our sponsors for their continued support and investment in our club.

Today, we face off against Bucklands Beach, our esteemed visitors who had an impressive run last season, finishing as runners-up in the league. As we embark on this new season, we see ourselves as contenders in the league, aiming to build on our past successes and strive for even greater achievements.

This year, we've had a productive preseason, utilizing several games to fine-tune our style of play and reinforce our team's focus and determination. The return of our goalkeeper, Sebastian Ciganada, following his stint with Auckland City at the FIFA Club World Cup, has provided a significant boost to our squad. Additionally, the return of Nico Vanina adds further strength to our attacking lineup.

Keep an eye out for the promising talent of 17-year-old Duncan Clark, who enjoyed a stellar season last year with the U23s, finishing as the top goal scorer and earning his debut with the first team. We have high hopes that Duncan will continue to impress and potentially secure a regular place in the starting line-up this season.

We hope you thoroughly enjoy today's game and experience the passion that our club and supporters bring to every match. Thank you for your unwavering support.

Best regards,

Sammy Negash

Head Coach