It was a competitive showing, but ultimately Southern United men have come home empty-handed.
The side was beaten 1-0 by Canterbury United in its national football premiership season opener in Christchurch yesterday.
A 36th-minute goal to Sean Liddicoat proved the difference between the two sides.
Canterbury had been threatening for an extended period at that point, although the Southern defence was holding up well.
However, it could not contain a great ball from Stephen Hoyle through to Liddicoat on the right.
Liddicoat timed his run well and was able to put the ball in the bottom left of the goal.
It was the only time the Southern defence was breached, despite Canterbury creating several other chances.
The two most notable of those came late, as Cory Mitchell hit the post in the 80th minute, before a fantastic one-on-one save from Liam Little a minute later.
Southern was able to create its own chances as well, and tested the Canterbury defence despite not scoring.
It came out well after the break and had its best period through the start and middle of the second half.
Markus Fjortoft had a chance at goal in the 52nd minute, but Canterbury keeper Conor Tracey kept it out.
Shortly after, Southern had two more chances, via a free kick just outside the box and a cross seconds later.
Canterbury held it out though, and after its own period of dominance, had to withstand one last flurry from Southern.
Danny Ledwith delivered a dangerous ball from another free kick close to the box; however, Tracey was up to the task of clearing it.
Southern continued to look to attack as five minutes of added time were played.
Adam Hewson had a final chance to equalise in the dying stages, although his shot went wide.
It left Southern more competitive than the other losing teams over the weekend.
Auckland City beat Tasman United 3-1, Team Wellington won its cross-town game against the Wellington Phoenix Reserves 4-1, and Eastern Suburbs thrashed Hawke’s Bay United 5-0.
Southern plays its first home game next week against Auckland City.
National premiership
The scores
Canterbury United 1
Sean Liddicoat 36’
Southern United 0
Halftime: 1-0 CU
