AUCKLAND – A dramatic late winner from Fijian striker Roy Krishna crowned Waitakere United as New Zealand Football Championship minor premiers for the third straight time after a 1-0 win over Hawke’s Bay United in Napier on Sunday.

After a shock loss to Waikato last weekend, Waitakere’s celebrations looked set to be delayed for at least another week until with two minutes remaining, Krishna capped a right-flank run with an angled shot to seal all three points for visitors, and one of New Zealand’s two spots in next season’s O-League.

Already assured of spot in the top four playoffs, the win moves the defending champions to 29 points, eight clear of both Auckland City and YoungHeart Manawatu – the latter climbing to third with an equally dramatic 1-0 home win over 10-man Waikato FC in the weekend’s only other fixture on Saturday.

Uruguayan Gustavo Saralegui struck for Manawatu in the 56th minute – four minutes after Waikato’s Paul Stewart earned himself a red card and an early shower.

Manawatu dominated the match-up between the playoff rivals but wasteful finishing from Manawatu and superb goalkeeping from Waikato goalkeeper Greg Walters conspired to keep the score down.

However a late Waikato fight back should have earned a crucial away point after substitute Stu Watene won a 79th minute penalty, but goalkeeper Chris Marsh saved a weak spot kick from teenager Marco Rojas to edge Manawatu one step closer to the semi-finals.

With just two weeks to play in the regular season, any three of five teams could join Waitakere in the top four, although fourth placed Hawke’s Bay and fifth placed Waikato – both on 19 points – have only one game left each.

Even sixth placed Team Wellington on 17 points could yet sneak themselves into the top half finish would rise above Hawke’s Bay and Waikato with a win over Canterbury at Newtown Park next weekend.

YoungHeart and Auckland square off in a match that could decide second place and a potential O-League spot, while minor premiers-elect Waitakere travel south to meet Otago United.

Meanwhile, in the opening weekend of Lion Foundation Youth League action on Sunday, defending champions Waitakere snatched a late 2-2 draw against Hawke’s Bay in Napier while Auckland City were comfortable 3-0 winners over Auckland-Manukau.

Visit www.nzfc.co.nz for the table, full results, match reports and stats.

Story and photo courtesy of New Zealand Football Media

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