The ASB Women’s League is moving into the semi-final stage after an avalanche of goals in the final round of conference matches last week.
The final four sides all recorded convincing victories as opponents Northern and Capital both hit seven, Mainland Pride six and Auckland four, with a total of 28 goals scored across the four matches.
Despite the glut of goals prior to the knockout semi-finals, the respective custodians could be the key to their sides advancing to the grand final next week.
In Christchurch, it will be a clash of age group internationals where Mainland Pride’s Young Football Ferns keeper Lily Alfeld takes on Auckland and Junior Football Ferns stopper Erin Nayler. Alfeld and Nayler emerged from their FIFA World Cup campaigns in Azerbaijan and Japan respectively with enhanced reputations and will no doubt use the platform to press for higher honours.
At the other end of the spectrum, Pam Yates and Cushla Lichtwark are two of the more experienced players in the league and their presence between the posts provides stability for their defences, who both have admirable goals against records with Northern conceding six goals and Capital seven.
Northern boast an unbeaten record in conference action and are averaging four goals per game this season, while Capital only found their scoring touch in the last round of matches, putting seven past South to ensure qualification on goal difference.
There is a settled look to the Northern line up but Capital will be without three players who have been selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools side travelling to Fiji. Junior Football Fern Evie Millynn will be central to Capital’s success with the midfielder chiming in with three goals this season.
ASB Football Park has been a happy hunting ground for Mainland Pride, having not lost a southern conference match at the artificial turf pitch in two seasons of ASB Women’s League action. Pride’s unbeaten run came unstuck at the semi-final stage last season when WaiBOP came to Christchurch and emerged with a convincing 6-1 win to advance to the final.
Auckland will hope to emulate WaiBOP’s achievements and their presence in the semi-finals is a significant feat in itself after being under pressure to qualify with two rounds to play. Auckland co-coach Steve Upfold says there has been no magic formula to reaching the semi-final stage of the competition for the first time since 2009.
“The team have earned their place in the last four simply by working hard each week to implement what we’ve learned about ourselves after each game we’ve played,” Upfold said.
“In a relatively short time frame, despite not always getting results, we’ve seen improvement in our play as the players have become more familiar with each other and their tasks. The squad is excited by the prospect of something different in the trip to Christchurch and we look forward to the test that Mainland will provide.”
Upfold and fellow coach Richard Wilson have a couple of injury concerns in their squad and will look to the experience of Marlies Oostdam and Rebecca Tegg to get them through to the final. Former Football Fern Tegg has been especially influential having scored in every match this season with eight goals overall.
Mainland will be without one of their Young Football Ferns defenders in Meikayla Moore, but welcome Junior Football Fern Ashleigh Ward back into the match day squad after a week off.
The Christchurch side has been consistent this year having only dropped points in their opening round away draw at Capital and warmed up for the semi-final with a 6-1 win in Palmerston North, their fifth consecutive win in the ASB Women’s League.
ASB Women’s League – Semi-Final Fixtures
Northern v Capital
Fred Taylor Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 4.45pm
Mainland Pride v Auckland
ASB Football Park, Christchurch
Kick-off: 5pm
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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