Nobody could question the credentials of the finalists as they have convincingly seen off the challenges from around the country to continue a rivalry that has dominated the national league since its rebirth.
For some seasons that rivalry descended to bitter clashes of personality and petty point-scoring. Now there is mutual respect between clubs who have in their different ways lifted the footballing standard.
Waitakere go into the Grand Final with the edge on their opponents this season with a win in the Charity Cup and a win and a draw in ASB Premiership clashes.
Auckland coach Ramon Tribulietx concedes the challenge his team face to regain the advantage they once enjoyed.
“Waitakere are very good this year and they have players who can win the game on their own,” he said.
“The result will come down to small details. In the two losses we didn’t take care of them and we conceded two or three goals that we can’t afford. We have to concentrate for 90 minutes.
“In January and February we played two more games than the rest and some players struggled physically and mentally. But the outcome was very good and we’re now mentally very strong and tough.”
Waitakere coach Paul Marshall, who previously had a coaching stint at the Kiwitea St home of Auckland City, is no fan of one-off finals, believing that topping the league as the West Aucklanders did this season is the truer test.
But he is fully committed to adding the championship to the minor premiership his team clinched with games to spare.
The subsequent home loss to Canterbury United and the four goals conceded in the 6-4 second leg semifinal win over Hawke’s Bay last Saturday have not dented the confidence he has in his team.
“This game is a completely different kettle of fish and a good opportunity for us,” he said. “We’ve got to be at our best. I said the first leg win in Napier was the best we’d played so far, but we can still be better.
“This team has huge potential and we haven’t reached our peak. There’s real quality there and the sky’s the limit.”
Both coaches should have the opportunity to field their best combinations, though there are some minor flu flurries in the Waitakere camp.
Golden Boot winner Roy Krishna spearheads a speedy Waitakere attack with Ryan de Vries maturing into a real force as his sparring partner.
Captain Jake Butler has cast off the anonymity of last season to sharpen the midfield while the experience of Irishman Brian Shelley has bolstered the defence.
Marshall will have repaired the damage that last week’s four-goal concession might have caused.
Auckland City’s Spanish influence means possession rules the day.
But in their second leg semifinal 3-1 victory over Canterbury United a revitalised James Pritchett showed how effective longer passes to a raiding fullback can be, and ever ready to capitalise on crosses into the penalty area is new recruit Gustavo Souto.
The departure of fullback Angel Berlanga for richer climes has left a defensive gap but there is always the ever-present Ivan Vicelich to marshal the troops.
Too difficult to pick a winner, easy to predict another classic encounter between the cross-city rivals.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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