AUCKLAND – Team Wellington and Hawke’s Bay both missed the chance to join the New Zealand Football Championship leaders on Sunday as Otago United and Canterbury United grabbed vital away points to keep the table tight from top to bottom.
With the top four teams absent due to Waitakere United and Auckland City’s respective FIFA Club World Cup and O-League commitments, Canterbury were the big movers of the weekend as their 2-1 win over Hawke’s Bay in Napier moved them off the foot of the table. Their place was taken by Otago United despite earning a 1-1 draw in Wellington that sees just five points separate the entire eight-team field.
Wellington sneak into a semi-final spot with eight points, one behind the leading trio of Auckland, Waikato and Manawatu, although the capital-based side have played one game more that the top three and three more than Waitakere who return from the FIFA Club World Cup ready to charge back into title contention.
In Napier, Canterbury long-awaited first win of the season was set up by Michael Fifii’s 14th minute opener. After a succession of corners led to a goalmouth scramble the Solomon Islands international reacted quickest to put the Cantabs in front.
They doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute thanks to an own goal from Chris McIvor but Hawke’s Bay immediately struck back when the referee awarded a spot kick after Matt Boyd fouled Greig Henslee in the area. Graham Fyfe comfortably slotted the penalty but it wasn’t enough to deny Canterbury, who are now unbeaten in three matches.
At Newtown Park, victory for Wellington would have taken them to the NZFC summit but instead stuttered into fourth after being held at home by Otago, who dominated throughout the game and may feel unlucky to not come away with maximum points.
The Southerners took the lead in the 52nd minute after a poor goal kick from Wellington ‘keeper Phil Imray fell straight to Stu Kelly, whose 35 yard reply left Imray helpless as the ball nestled in the bottom corner.
Despite their dominance, Otago were made to pay for not getting the all important second goal. With just a minute remaining, the league’s joint top scorer Luis Corrales latched onto a hopeful ball into the box to score an easy tap in. It could have been worse for the visitors as just before the full time whistle, Peter Halstead missed the chance to snatch an undeserved victory for Wellington missing the target from close range when it would’ve been easier to score.
A full round of fixtures next Sunday wraps up the first half of the season before the league takes a three-week break until the New Year. Canterbury’s resurgence will be tested by visiting leaders Auckland, while Waitakere can jump back into the top four with victory over third placed Manawatu.
Bottom placed Otago entertain Hawke’s Bay while Waikato and Wellington look to hold on to semi-final spot in Ngaruawahia.
Results:
Sunday
Hawke’s Bay United 1 (Graham Fyfe 63-pen)
Canterbury United 2 (Michael Fifii 14, Chris McIvor own goal 61)
Halftime: 0-1
Team Wellington 1 (Luis Corrales 89)
Otago United 1 (Stu Kelly 52)
Halftime: 0-0
Standings:
|
Name |
P | W | D | L | For | Ag | GD | Pts |
| 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 9 | |
| 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 9 | |
| YoungHeart Manawatu | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 9 |
| Team |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 8 |
| Waitakere United | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Hawke’s Bay United | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 6 |
| 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 5 | |
| Otago United | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | -4 | 4 |
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