Ross Haviland: Auckland United Captain ahead of their Chatham Cup semi-final clash against Nelson Suburbs

The Chatham Cup, New Zealand footballs premier knockout tournament has reached the semi-finals.  

Auckland United are taking on Nelson Suburbs and Eastern Suburbs are playing Wellington Olympic. 

Auckland United captain Ross Haviland caught up with D'Arcy hours before taking the field to preview their clash against Nelson Suburbs. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from news Talk ZEDB Well.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Now Auckland United, Nelson Suburbs. It is the Chatham Cup.
It's getting to the point at end and were joined
now by Ross Haveland out of Auckland United.

Speaker 3 (00:22):
Good morning, well Darcy, how are you mate?

Speaker 4 (00:24):
Yeah?

Speaker 2 (00:25):
Good, big day for you guys. Massive day, semi final
of the Chatham Cup. How does your head space altered
now you know that you're right at your one victory
away from the finals? It changed much for you and
your team? Oh?

Speaker 3 (00:39):
I mean obviously it's as a special moment for the
club considering it's where we're a new club. You know,
we've already created us through by getting this far. I think, yeah,
there have been a few players that have made finals
in that but for the clubs, it's definitely a special
day that the girls have also got their game after
us this afternoon in their semish. Yeah, I don't think

(01:03):
much changes, but it's definitely hethoric moment.

Speaker 2 (01:07):
Why how has this happened? New club? What's fallen into place?
Playing scored more goals on a regular basis in the opposition?

Speaker 4 (01:14):
But what else has happened. Where's the energy come from?
Do you think in the club?

Speaker 3 (01:17):
Yeah, I think the obviously the teams in a pretty
good space at the moment. I'd say we've had a
decent run of form recently barring Saturday's match, but yeah,
we've We've kind of picked up some good points recently.
We had a good windown in christ Church in the
in the quarterfinal and that kind of created a bit
more of a buzz for the for the Cup and

(01:40):
I think, yeah, it's just we're in a good space.
We've got a good, good team to select from, We've
got good depths, so I think this year's just kind
of clicked into place a little bit.

Speaker 2 (01:51):
How much do you carry on with what has been
successful so far? Do you have to reinvent the wheel
this afternoon?

Speaker 3 (01:58):
No, not at all. It's a game obviously we have
to be aware of their strings but also played with
us strength, and yeah, we have to be confident in
our ability. I think that's that's what's kind of kept
us going so far. We're a confident team and when
we when we stick to our strengths, where we're able
to be anyone.

Speaker 2 (02:19):
So those strengths are you set me up mate, I'm
going to ask the questions Ross, So what are those strengths?

Speaker 3 (02:26):
Yeah, no, of course we were We we like to
use our attacking players because we've got some quality up front.
We've got a lot of quality to come off the
bench as well. So I feel like as a team
that's that's really where our strengths lie.

Speaker 2 (02:39):
This is very much the flavor of football though, isn't it.
This is something, This is an energy. The number of teams,
all sorts of levels are embracing put the foot down attack.

Speaker 3 (02:51):
Yeah. I think you find kind of, for some reason
more this year teams have been a little bit more direct,
not as much you know, playing up from the back,
So I think that kind of we've kind of adopted
that slightly this year and it's yeah, it's kind of
paying off a bit. So, yeah, we're looking forward to today.

Speaker 4 (03:13):
What did the opposition bring? What have they got?

Speaker 3 (03:16):
Uh? Ironically, again, they're you know, they're they're strong up top.
We know they've got some threats up top, but they're
also good defensively. They don't conceived a lot. So yeah,
we're in for a tough one today. We know that.
But we're at home and we're confident and we're looking
to progress to the final.

Speaker 4 (03:33):
Expecting a half decent crowd to turn up. Rules.

Speaker 3 (03:36):
Yeah, definitely, I think in any case, the Chatham Cup
and at this stage kind of brings brings the crowd,
brings the punters along, So I think it'll be it'll
be a good crowd. We've got the Woman after us
as well, so I can imagine there'll be There'll be
a few come early to watch.

Speaker 2 (03:53):
That's going to be a huge celebration for the club,
regardless of what happens, both the and both in semi finals, time,
same same park, same day.

Speaker 4 (04:04):
Massive for the club.

Speaker 2 (04:05):
Have you guys been feeding off each other around this
you get together or is it very much separate entities?

Speaker 3 (04:12):
No, of course we you know we're both teams are close.
You know, we know that the occasion for both teams
and will be supportive of each other and obviously for
the club it's just such a such a big occasion,
so I'm sure everyone around the club will be backing us,
and yeah, it's a be a great day.

Speaker 2 (04:27):
You look further forward because the finals are all going
to be held on this neck of the woods, I
think North Harbor Stadium come finals time as well. You
can't really think that far ahead, can you.

Speaker 3 (04:37):
No, not at all. We know today is important and
we don't really want to think too far ahead of
what's going to happen once the whistle blows. So yeah,
it's just about getting the job done today and then
we can look forward to whatever comes after that.

Speaker 4 (04:51):
Have you got a full quiver?

Speaker 2 (04:52):
Have you got all of your athletes to pick from
that you've suffer any injuries of recent times? Where's that
standing as far as the eleven and of course then some.

Speaker 3 (05:02):
Yeah, obviously, like I said, we had a bit of
an upset at the weekend and that was due to
potentially us but low on numbers. We had to do
a bit of a string of three games and seven days,
so that was that really stretched the squad. However, that
we you know, we're rested and had a week now
to prepare, so I think we're yeah, we're looking just

(05:25):
as strong going into this one as as we can be.

Speaker 4 (05:28):
All right, well, watching the best for that get amongst.
I'm sure it's going to be a wonderful afternoon for
the club, let's hope, and giving you the best to
go through and we'll be talking again before the final
Chatham Cup, one of the legendary competitions in New Zealand
sport ross Haviland. Thanks very much for joining us.

Speaker 3 (05:46):
Yeah, I appreciate your time.

Speaker 1 (05:47):
Thank you for more from the All Sport Breakfast with
Darcy Watergrave. Listen live to News Talk Said Be on
Saturday mornings, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio