Otago maintained their late season surge to claim the southern conference spot in the ASB Youth League after a 1-0 win over two-time defending champions Canterbury United.
Finn Moore struck the winner with 20 minutes to play in the South Island derby at ASB Football Park in Christchurch which saw his side leapfrog Canterbury into the national final.
They will travel to north to face Auckland City, who accounted for Waikato FC 4-1 in their final conference match to overtake the Northern-based U-17 national team.
Stephen Carmichael scored his eighth of the season as four different scorers struck the back of the net. Dean Lausev opened the scoring with Tinashe Marowa and Jordan Roberts supplementing Carmichael’s goal.
Elsewhere, Waitakere United and Hawke’s Bay United fought out their second 2-2 draw of the season at Fred Taylor Park prior to the ASB Premiership goalfest that followed.
The visitors lead 2-1 at halftime through goals to Futsal Whites international Tai Barham and captain Reilly O’Meagher. James Debenham pulled one back for the hosts and Nicolai Berry maintained his recent goal scoring form netting the equaliser to take his season tally to three.
Nelson Falcons and Team Wellington also ended their respective seasons with a 1-1 draw at Trafalgar Park. Furkan Kokcu put the Falcons in front after 53 minutes only for Josh Dixon to restore parity 18 minutes later.
The Northern-based U-17s and YoungHeart Manawatu ended their season a week earlier and received a bye in round 10.
The ASB Youth League final will be played prior to the ASB Premiership final between Waitakere United and Auckland City at Fred Taylor Park with the kick-off time yet to be confirmed.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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