Hopes of a top four placing are fading as Otago United prepares to travel north to play Hawkes Bay at Napier's Bluewater Stadium tomorrow.
Otago beat the Bay 2-0 in November with goals by Regan Coldicott and Darren Overton, but that seems a long time ago now, after defections and injuries have weakened the side.
Last week's 2-2 draw with Manawatu was a knife-edge result that might have been a morale-boosting win, but it is all uphill now for Otago.
The introduction of Aajay Cunningham showed youngsters can be blooded at top level, and the midfielder's best moments were memorable, never more so than the cool strike that earned him a fine debut goal.
Coach Richard Murray will hope the rest of his squad will also accept the challenge to earn a regular first-team place, and there is no shortage of aspirants.
Being voted into the ASB Premiership team of the month recently has boosted defender Tristan Prattley's chances of securing a place in the New Zealand Olympic squad.
Prattley will have a good idea of where he stands when he rejoins Otago in Napier after another Olympic training camp.
To other youngsters in the Otago squad, captain Prattley is a bright example of skill and dedication, a role model that should be copied if the side is to rescue anything from this season.
Harley Rodeka's goal last week also had the stamp of class, as he zoned in on an early cross by Craig Ferguson and headed a fine goal. Fullback Ferguson is also improving every week.
Otago needs optimum performances from midfielder Morgan Day, winger Coldicott, striker Ant Hancock, Seamus Ryder, key defender Matt Joy and newcomer Jose Cantillo to lead the young brigade forward. If they all hit their straps, a win is more than possible.
Murray sees the situation clearly.
"We are eight points off the top four with only 12 points left up for grabs. We are now in the position where we are hoping for other teams to do us a favour.
"We now have to put ourselves in the position to capitalise on any slip-ups by winning this weekend."
Otago is well aware Hawkes Bay has performed well at home this season and, under new coach Chris Greatholder, it likes to play an attacking but disciplined formation.
Murray knows points are not always easy to come by at Bluewater Stadium.
"We have to take the game to Hawkes Bay and at least match their intensity. They will have marked this fixture as a must win, much as we have, so I expect both teams will go at it hammer and tongs."
Otago v Hawkes Bay
Napier, tomorrow
Otago United: Peter Evans, Tristan Prattley (captain), Jude Fitzpatrick, Matt Joy, Morgan Day, Regan Coldicott, Seamus Ryder, Ant Hancock, Sam Mepham, Harley Rodeka, Matt Brook, Jose Cantillo, Joel Stevens, Craig Ferguson, Aajay Cunningham.
Hawkes Bay: Richard Gillespie, Fergus Neil, Stu Wilson, Bill Robertson (captain), Stephen Hindmarch, Matt Hastings, Adam Cowan, Sam Margetts, Conor Tinnion, Danny Wilson, Tom Biss, Hamish Watson, Leon Birnie, Josh Margetts, Jerome Groot, Shaun Peta.
