Dunedin Technical may go into today’s Women’s Knockout Cup semi-final against Glenfield Rovers as underdogs, but the side is hoping to make the most of their home advantage and the support of the Dunedin football community.

Technical captain Coral Seath feels the local support will be a big boost for her girls, who have already created history by progressing further in the country’s pinnacle competition than any other Football South side has ever managed.

“There was a good crowd at our quarter-final which meant a lot to myself and the girls”, she said yesterday. “We’re proud that a Dunedin team has finally broken that barrier to get through to this stage. We really want to perform for everyone again on Saturday for Dunedin in general, and we really appreciate all the support we’ve been getting”.

Their opponents Glenfield Rovers have an incredible record in the competition, playing in five of the past six finals and winning three of them. The North Shore side has a host of representative players although have just lost star Katie Rood, who last week signed with mighty Juventus in Italy.

Coming up against one of the most successful teams in the country is a little daunting for Tech, but they’re curious to test themselves against the best. “A few of us know some of the Glenfield girls but when they’re all big names, you kind of have this perception of them, so it will be interesting to see how they play and how we show up against them”.

Southern sides are often familiar with being regarded as underdogs when taking on teams from the big smoke, but it isn’t always a bad thing. “We think going in as underdogs is an advantage in itself as we don’t have anything to lose, and we’re going into it as just another opportunity to be better than we have every other game this season”.

The biggest advantage for Seath’s team is undoubtedly being drawn at home. Much has been made of Glenfield’s convoluted travel down south, which was complicated by a lack of accommodation and flights due to tonight’s Bledisloe Cup test. Seath knows however that Technical can’t rely on hoping that the journey has taken a toll on Rovers.

“Having the home game is definitely a huge advantage for us and a big relief but they’re a very good side, and they should be used to travelling. Obviously this is a very big trip for them, but a lot of them have travelled a lot before so it’s certainly not something we can rely on. So we know we need to go out there expecting them to be at their very best.”

Seath has gotten used to tasting success locally with Technical, winning the Premier League in each of the five years she has been playing for the side.

“This is my fifth year here. I came down to University and was only planning to stay for the three years, but Dunedin Tech tends to keep you there!”

There is clearly a great spirit within the side, and Dunedin Technical will be hoping to display all of that spirit this afternoon as they aim to create further history and make a national club final.

If you’re unable to get along to the match at the Caledonian Ground, be sure to follow @FootballSouth2 on Twitter for live updates throughout the match: Click here

WOMEN’S KNOCKOUT CUP SEMIFINALDunedin Technical vs Glenfield RoversSaturday 26th August, 12:30 kickoffCaledonian Ground

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