The ties will be played on a home-and-away basis, and underdogs Canterbury and Wellington will need to make the most of home advantage before the Auckland-based return legs scheduled for April 10 and 11. Away goals could decide the winner if the aggregate scores are tied so the first legs could be tense and tight affairs.
Waitakere received the perfect play-off boost after ending Auckland City’s O-League run, so to eliminate the West Aucklanders, Wellington will need every ounce of the form that has seen them edge Otago United and Canterbury United into semi-finals.
Waitakere boasts a three wins from three matches play-off record against the Wellingtonians but will want to forget their last visit to the capital when the hosts won a thrilling 4-3 victory in Week 14.
Defending champions Auckland finished the regular season as NZFC minor premiers with one match to spare but suffered O-League elimination last weekend at the hands of Waitakere so will be in ruthless mood with the NZFC title their one remaining opportunity for silverware this season.
Auckland City begins a long weekend of football with a catch-up showdown with YoungHeart Manawatu on Friday at 2pm. However with two games in three days, Auckland has drafted in seven new players for Friday’s clash with Manawatu, with all eyes firmly focussed on the semi-final first leg in Christchurch on Monday.
Veteran striker Grant Young is selected for the Manawatu match and could be in line for his 100th NZFC career appearance. A win or draw for Auckland would see the Kiwitea Street men become the first ever team to complete an unbeaten NZFC regular season, but that will count for little to Paul Posa’s team if they come unstuck in Christchurch.
This time last season, Canterbury fans were reflecting upon a second consecutive eighth place finish in the NZFC. NZFC February Coach of the Month Keith Braithwaite has turned his team around and now the Dragons are just two matches away from their first NZFC Grand Final since 2005-06 season when they lost 4-3 on penalties to Auckland City.
The Dragons name a strong squad for the showdown with Auckland with only influential skipper Dan Terris missing.
Story courtesy NZF Media
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