Auckland won the first three championships but lost their crown to Waitakere last season, after stumbling in the semi-finals against Canterbury United.
Waitakere, who have confirmed their fourth minor premiership in five seasons, would cement their place as the undisputed kings of New Zealand domestic football with a third grand final victory.
Meanwhile, Auckland City have a big chance to claim their fifth domestic title with a shot at adding continental honours to the trophy haul when they face Amicale in the O-League Final 2nd Leg on April 17.
Victory over Waitakere on Sunday would hand Auckland the chance to seal its third ever ‘double’ haul of domestic and continental titles.
After clinching second place in the minor premiership race, Auckland delivered a warning to Waitakere with a 7-1 aggregate thumping of Team Wellington in the semi-finals.
After coasting to the minor premiership, Waitakere may have stuttered at the back end of the season but they bounced back with a 6-2 thrashing of Canterbury United in the semi-final 1st leg. Waitakere lost the return leg 1-0 but won’t lack motivation in trying to retain the ASB Premiership trophy at Trusts Stadium with a third domestic title there for the taking.
Waitakere United
Form: LWWLW
The players: Rory Turner and Jordan Vale drafted into the squad with Jack Pelter unavailable, Luke Adams overseas on professional trial and Chris Bale suspended after his red card against Canterbury United. Golden boot winner Allan Pearce has scored in the last three ASB Premiership Grand Finals. Pearce has 17 goals for the season in all competitions.
The vital statistics: Since the 2007-08 season, Waitakere has won five, drawn two and lost two matches with Auckland City in the last nine domestic encounters. They have won two of the three previous grand final showdowns with their ‘Super City’ rivals.
Squad List: 1. Danny ROBINSON (GK), 2. Jason ROWLEY, 3. Aaron SCOTT, 4. Tim MYERS, 7. Martin BULLOCK, 10. Allan PEARCE, 13. Mike GWYTHER, 14. Tim PAYNE, 16. Neil EMBLEN, 17. Jake BUTLER (C), 18. Zane SOLE, 19. Dakota LUCAS, 20. Ryan de VRIES, 21. Anthony HOBBS, 23. Ashton PETT, 28. Andy RALPH (GK), 29. Jordan VALE, 30. Rory TURNER
Coach: Neil EMBLEN (ENG)
Auckland City
Form: WWLWW
The players: All Whites David Mulligan and Ivan Vicelich are back in the selection frame after missing the semi-final 2nd leg win over Team Wellington after international duty in China. Adam McGeorge is drafted into the squad.
The vital statistics: Auckland City could win their fifth domestic title in seven years on Sunday. They have won the domestic and continental double twice previously and would become the first club to capture a hat-trick of doubles if they can win their final two games of the season. Auckland have won all four of the Grand Finals they have appeared in.
Squad list: 1. Jacob SPOONLEY (GK), 2. Angel BERLANGA, 3. Ian HOGG, 4. Sam CAMPBELL, 6. Stuart KELLY, 7. James PRITCHETT, 8. David MULLIGAN, 9. Manel EXPOSITO, 10. Luis CORRALES, 11. Daniel KOPRIVCIC, 12. Liam LITTLE (GK), 13. Alex FENERIDIS, 14. Adam DICKINSON, 15. Ivan VICELICH (C), 16. Albert REIRA, 17. Adam McGEORGE, 20. Riki van STEEDEN, 22. Andrew MILNE, 23. Adam THOMAS
Coaches: Aaron McFARLAND (NZL) and Ramon TRIBULIETX (ESP)
Match details
ASB Premiership Grand Final
Waitakere United v Auckland City
Trusts Stadium, Henderson, Auckland
Sunday 10 April, 2011
Kickoff: 2pm
Referee: Peter O’LEARY
Assistant Referee 1: Brent BEST
Assistant Referee 2: Nick van der SALM
Fourth Official: Mike HESTER
Gates Open: 12:45pm
Tickets details
General Admission
Adult – $10.00
Child (15 years and under)- $5.00
Children under 5 years free
Tickets at the gate or from www.ticketdirect.co.nz
Previous ASB Premiership Grand Finals
2009-10
Waitakere United 3 (Benjamin TOTORI 34’, 73’, Allan PEARCE 57’)
Canterbury United 1 (Tom LANCASTER 6’)
2008-09
Waitakere United 1 (Allan PEARCE 15’)
Auckland City 2 (Keryn JORDAN 78’, Paul URLOVIC 89’)
2007-08
Waitakere United 2 (Karl WHALEN o.g. 45’, Allan PEARCE 66’)
Team Wellington 0
2006-07
Waitakere United 2 (Commins MENAPI 21’, Jeff CAMPBELL 93’)
Auckland City 3 (Liam MULROONEY 16’, Paul URLOVIC 51’, Neil SYKES 78’)
2005-06
Auckland City 3 (Grant YOUNG 45’+2, Keryn JORDAN 63’, Chad COOMBES 78’)
Canterbury United 3 (Stu KELLY 59’, 85’, Ross NICHOLSON o.g. 75’)
Auckland City won 4-3 on penalties AET
2004-05
Auckland City 3 (Grant YOUNG 48’, 90’, Liam MULROONEY 81’)
Waitakere United 2 (Daniel ELLENSOHN 31’, Keryn JORDAN 70’)
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
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