AUCKLAND – The New Zealand Football Championship’s two most successful clubs will meet head on in the league’s fifth grand final on Sunday.
Auckland won the first three championships but lost their crown to Waitakere last season, after stumbling in the preliminary playoff.
Waitakere, who have already confirmed their third straight minor premiership, would cement their place as the undisputed kings of New Zealand domestic football with a second grand final victory.
Meanwhile Auckland can stop the balance of power shifting even more to the West of the city, and have their big game players hitting form and fitness at the right time.
After coasting to the minor premiership, Waitakere may have stuttered at the back end of the season but their 6-0 aggregate thumping of a previously in-form Wellington was a warning, if one was needed, that the defending champions and their own big-game players are ready to fire at the business end of the season.
Auckland suffered a scare in Palmerston North before successfully navigating their semi final, and won’t lack motivation in trying to wrestle the NZFC trophy back to Kiwitea Street, and ending a Waitakere hoodoo that extends over two seasons.
NZFC Grand Final
Match: Waitakere United v Auckland City
Venue: Douglas Field, Henderson
Date: Sunday 29 March, 2009
Kickoff: 14h05 (local time) Live on Sky Sport 2
Referee: Mike Hester (Auckland)
Story courtesy of NZF Media
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