Due to OFC Champions League, the ISPS Handa Premiership – top-tier of football in New Zealand – will have only two matches in its weekend of football. Despite the lack of games in the round, both matches are very important for the top-four battle in the league.
Both Eastern Suburbs and Hawke’s Bay United come from defeats in their previous matches in the league. The current league champions, lost by 4-1 away from home against the powerful Team Wellington. Despite scoring first in the match, Eastern Suburbs could not defend their lead and suffered a tough defeat.
The Lilywhites will take on Hawke’s Bay in Auckland for a very important match for two sides fighting for the top-four. Eastern Suburbs currently sits 4th with 19 points in the process, while the Napier-based side has 15 points and sits 8th. A win is very important for both sides as HBU wants to keep their chances alive to proceed to the semifinals and Eastern Suburbs want to guarantee their spot in the post-season to defend their title.
Hawke’s Bay suffered heartbreaking defeat at home against Southern after being upfront in the scoreline. The team coached by Chris Greatholder suffered a harsh 4-3 defeat and will expect on Ahinga Selemani and his attacking force to overcome the strong Eastern Suburbs away from home.
Tasman has a lot to celebrate this season: the team is back to the contest in the top-four and its marksman Jean-Philippe Saïko has much to celebrate in his first season in New Zealand. The New Caledonian international scored the winner against Auckland City in their opponent first defeat since 2017 – a famous win for the team coached by Jess Ibrom.
Tasman will be back to the pitch to face Wellington Phoenix Reserves at Porirua Park looking to enter the top-four a very much needed win against the youth side of Phoenix. But Tasman can not expect an easy challenge in Porirua as Phoenix will count with the likes of Ahmand Othman and Ben Old that are having a very good season so far for the WeeNix.
You can check the updated standings, full results and top scorers of the season so far by visiting our session of the 2019/20 ISPS Handa Premiership.
