By Bob Pearce / asbpremiership.co.nz 

AUCKLAND - It’s like Athletic Bilbao travelling to the Nou Camp to take on Barcelona. That’s Waikato coach Declan Edge’s take on his team’s trip to Kiwitea St to take on Auckland City on Sunday.

Trust the innovative coach to come up with a comparison from the Spanish League to convey the task facing his young charges as they tackle the ASB Premiership leaders with their coach, Ramon Tribulietx, and his talented squad, several of whom speak the language and try to emulate the skills of the world champions.

“It’s a huge step up for us and a big challenge,” said Edge. “Only a few weeks ago I was watching Auckland play the Japanese champions and I thought they were very, very unlucky not to get something from that game.
 
“They came to our ground at the start of the season and beat us 5-1. We did say we would find it hard at the start and as games go on we would be more dangerous.
 
“We’re looking forward to Sunday. I’ve said I think Auckland are the best I’ve seen in 25 years and we can learn from the masters.”
 
Waikato come north fresh from a 2-0 victory over Otago United in Dunedin and, after a slow start, now lie sixth in the Premiership. For the record Athletic Bilbao lie fifth in La Liga. They drew 2-2 at home with Barcelona in November and don’t travel to the Nou Camp until April.
 
Edge would have been given hope of an upset result for his team on Sunday after Auckland struggled to beat Amicale of Vanuatu 3-2 in an O-League clash on Wednesday.
 
The home team were ahead 2-1 at the break but clearly felt the effects of playing two games in five days and were relieved to come out 3-2 victors after the visitors took advantage of their tired legs in the second spell. A third game in the space of eight days will be a further challenge.
 
“It’s going to be very tough,” said Tribulietx after the O-League scare. “We played all right in the first half and they scored from a one-off chance but we tired in the second half and the players were clearly feeling the effects of playing twice in quick succession after the Christmas break.
 
“We’ll have to recover as well as possible for Sunday because Waikato know how to keep the ball and they have gained confidence.
 
“Their coach deserves a lot of credit for playing a different style and giving the young players a chance to develop their game. It is definitely the way of the future for New Zealand football.”
 
Waikato captain Adam Thomas opted to move back over the Bombays after a spell with Auckland City last season. He will relish the chance to chase points against his old team, who are still reorganising their defence after fullback Ian Hogg flew out for a trial in Sweden. 

As Amicale exerted pressure on Wednesday, the well-oiled machine developed some uncharacteristic misfires.