Claudelands will appear in their second straight final after demolishing Halswell United 8-0 in Christchurch on Saturday, while Three Kings will chase a fourth cup win after a 4-0 victory over Marist at Wellington’s Te Whaea Park on Sunday.
The presence of six Football Ferns and another three age-group representatives in the Three Kings starting line-up proved too much for a valiant Marist, who fell behind in the first minute to a Rosie White strike.
The home side kept the visitors in check until time added on in the first half when Annalie Longo lashed a shot in from the edge of the penalty area.
Football Ferns defender and Three Kings captain Kristy Hill added two more, both from Anna Green corners, in the second half to make the scoreline comfortable for the Aucklanders, who lifted the cup for three consecutive seasons between 1997 and 1999.
In Christchurch, Claudelands also scored early, through Hannah Wong in the sixth minute, and had wrestled control of the match by the time Football Fern Sarah McLaughlin doubled the lead from 25 yards out in the 28th minute.
Ten minutes later, a Holly Nixon shot took two deflections before going in off a post and Holly Patterson extended the lead to four goals just before halftime.
Wong, McLaughlin and Patterson each added second goals, despite the best efforts of impressive Halswell goalkeeper Noran Abaza, and Olivia Chance chipped in with a 75th-minute penalty.
The Women’s Knockout Cup final is scheduled for the first weekend of September.
Women’s Knockout Cup semi-finals
Saturday
Halswell United 0
Claudelands Rovers 8 (Hannah Wong 6, 59; Sarah McLaughlin 28, 65; Own goal 38, Holly Patterson 45, 85, Olivia Chance 73, pen)
Halftime 0-4
Sunday
Marist 0
Three Kings United 4 (Rosie White 1, Annalie Longo 45+1, Kristy Hill 54, 82)
Halftime 0-2
Story courtesy of NZF Media.
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