The chance to avenge one of last year’s biggest disappointment looms for Southern United.
After winning its national women’s league opener against eventual champion Auckland, the side was beaten 3-1 by last-placed Central in Palmerston North a week later.
It was a big come down for a side which went on to make its first playoff appearance.
That loss went some way to being avenged in this season’s opener when Southern put on a brilliant display to beat Central 6-1 at Forrester Park.
Doing that again on Central’s home patch would go even further to righting last year’s result.
It has been another tough season for Central, which is in a fight with WaiBOP to avoid another last place finish.
However, Southern coach Ignacio Sande said last season’s result had not been forgotten.
He felt it was a good indication anything could happen on the day and the side was expecting more of a challenge this time around.
"We are not going to relax because we know what can happen when we relax," he said.
"It was a tough game and we played a bit better than them [in the round one win].
"They had a few issues in their preseason getting their whole squad together.
"But they’ve played a lot of games together now and they’ve grown as a team.
"So they’re going to be a much better side this time, so we want to win but we know it won’t be easy."
It had been a tough season results-wise for Southern.
The side picked up its third win last Sunday — a 5-2 drubbing of WaiBOP — seven weeks after its last victory.
Through that period there have been plenty of close losses and that competitiveness has pleased the team.
"In some ways we are not happy. But performance-wise we are happy with what we are doing, we have to adjust a few things and learn from those games.
"But we definitely won the respect from the top teams and that was something at the beginning of the season we were not sure of.
"The team had a very good season last year and this year they have competed very well.
"So the future looks good and the players are motivated to carry on and see what’s next."
He said the team remains motivated and was hoping to finish the season with two positive results.
National women’s league
Southern United v Central
Massey University, Palmerston North
Sunday, 12pm
