Miramar Rangers' pedigree and impenetrable defence are the reasons it will start as favourite in the Chatham Cup quarterfinal match against Dunedin Technical at the Caledonian Ground tomorrow.
The Wellington-based side is one of the marquee clubs in New Zealand football and has won the Cup on three occasions - 1966, 1992 and 2004.
It is undefeated in the Central League this season and has not conceded a goal in its last eight matches.
But it has four quality players missing and a trip to Dunedin on game day may sap the side of some energy.
Dunedin Technical last won the Cup in 1999 and, aside from a hiccup against Caversham in the Soccersouth Premier League last weekend, has been in good touch this season.
Veteran striker Aaron Burgess has scored 21 goals this season, and with Blair Scoullar at the back and Andy Coburn and Mike Cunningham in the midfield, Tech has a well-rounded side more than capable of progressing to the semifinals.
Tech coach Mike Fridge is under no illusion as to the size of the task ahead but is backing his side.
"I would say that Miramar are probably favourites for the tie, purely because they probably play in a stronger league than we play in here," he said'"That's not having a go at the teams here, but they [Miramar] get a strong game every week of the season . . . and they've been a good side in New Zealand football for the last decade or so.
"But when you get down to the last eight in any tournament you know you're in for a hard game.
"Obviously I don't have a crystal ball and don't know the outcome, but I have every confidence in our side.
"We're in Dunedin and we're playing at the Cale', and come Sunday night my expectations are to be in the semifinal of the Chatham Cup."
The key will be finding a hole in Miramar's defence.
It is well organised at the back, with Michael Woodside, Craig Alderdice, Allen Chote and Jamie Farrington snuffing out the most promising of attacks.
"Those four at the back have been rock solid for me," Miramar coach Graham Little said.
"They've formed a good combination."
Up front the attack has been blunted in the absence of striker Jeremy Brockie and Peter Housestead.
Brockie is on national duty with team-mates Jacob Spoonley and Cole Tinkler.
The three have been selected in the New Zealand under-23 side which will compete at the Beijing Olympics next month.
"Jeremy played eight games for us and scored nine goals, so he is a definite loss."
Spoonley and Tinkler had played just three games for the club between them this season and in that sense would not be missed, he said.
With Housestead overseas, Dominic Rowe would shoulder the lion's share of the goal-scoring responsibilities.
Miramar had a good workout against Lower Hutt City in the fourth round of Chatham Cup, winning 3-0.
Otherwise it has breezed into the quarterfinals and the team is riding high.
"We're confident. We've not conceded a goal in eight games and we've scored quite a few goals," Little said.
Dunedin Technical: Nick Tarrant, Hayden Gunn, Tristan Prattley, Ben Lamont, John Chisholm (captain), Richard Smith, John Lang, Mike Cunningham, Ross McKenzie, Riki Chidley, Mike Flaws, Aaron Burgess, Cam Parkin, Sam Jasper, George Mine, Andy Coburn, Nick Dale, Blair Scoullar.
Miramar Rangers: Dylan Hall, Craig Alderdice, Michael Woodside (captain), Jamie Farrington, Nik Tromp, Allen Chote, Gerard Brown, Tony Wall, Michael Eagar, Dominic Rowe, Graham Mulvey, Tommy Smith, Brooke Tozer, David Batty.
Kick off: 2pm.
