Auckland put one foot firmly in the March 16 final thanks to a 4-0 thumping of Super City rivals Waitakere United in Whenuapai, while Wellington returned from Napier with a hard fought and much slimmer 2-1 lead.
Team Wellington midfielder Colin Murphy sealed a valuable first leg victory at Bluewater Stadium with an unstoppable 87th minute strike, restoring a lead that Justin Gulley had given them earlier in a frantic match.
Team Wellington, who will qualify for next year’s OFC Champions League under its current format should they or Auckland win the grand final, took the lead in fortuitous circumstances when Gulley’s cross looped over Richard Gillespie and in off the far post nine minutes into the second half.
Twenty minutes later, Tom Biss’ eighth goal of the season restored parity but the home side’s hoodoo against Wellington – they were only side to beat Hawke’s Bay twice in the regular season – continued when Murphy stole the ball from a Hawke’s Bay defender and raced away to slot his match winner.
Team Wellington coach Matt Calcott was quick to stress that the job was only half finished ahead of Saturday’s return leg in the capital.
“I don’t think there’s that much advantage although we’ve won the game,” he said.
“We’ve got to make sure we refocus on our goals and that our preparation for the home leg this week is top drawer.”
Meanwhile, Minor Premiers Auckland had a far more comfortable time against the reigning champions in West Auckland, producing arguably their best performance of the season.
Two goals from golden boot winning Auckland striker Emiliano Tade, both set up by new Portuguese signing Joao Moreira, wrestled control of the tie by halftime. The Argentine broke the deadlock in the 27th minute from a Moreira cutback and slammed his second into the roof of the net two minutes before halftime after a busy Danny Robinson saved Moreira’s first effort.
As the visitors capitalised on their dominance late in the game, Tade was denied a hat trick by the post and while scrambling defence and some Robinson saves delayed the inevitable, recently retired All White Ivan Vicelich – pushed into a midfield role in the second half – was on hand to end the goalmouth pinball with City’s third.
Fullback Takuya Iwata compounded Waitakere’s misery with injury time goal that means Waitakere are chasing a second leg victory by a margin of at least a four goals when the pair meet on Sunday at Kiwitea Street.
Auckland have yet to lose at home this season but like his Wellington counterpart, Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx was calling for total focus.
“We must be respectful of Waitakere United. They are the champions and there is still one game to go before anything is decided,” said Tribulietx.
1st Leg Semi-Final Results
At Fred Taylor Park, Whenuapai
Waitakere United 0
Auckland City 4 (Emiliano TADE 27’, 43’, Ivan VICELICH 88’, Takuya IWATA 90’ + 4’)
Halftime: 0-2
At Bluewater Stadium, Napier
Hawke’s Bay United 1 (Tom BISS 74’)
Team Wellington 2 (Justin GULLEY 54’, Colin MURPHY 87’)
Halftime: 0-0
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

Share