TeamWellington ease past Canty

Roy Kayara’s first-half header earned Team Wellington a thirdstraight national league final showdown with Auckland City.

The New Caledonia international’s 27th-minute effort helped the two-time defending ISPS Handa Premiership champions ease past Canterbury United with a 1-0 win in their semifinal at David Farrington Park in Wellington on Sunday.

Auckland beat Eastern Suburbs 4-0 in the other semifinal on Saturday. Wellington have beaten them in the last two deciders and will be looking to make it a threepeat at QBE Stadium in Auckland next Sunday.

Yesterday’s semifinal was a tense affair. Wellington dominated for about 30 minutes of the first half, but outside of that the momentum swung between the two sides.

It was an even start to the first half as Canterbury had the best chance eight minutes in when Futa Nakamura rattled the frame of Scott Basalaj’s goal with a half volley from the edge of the box.

But Wellington were soon in control, dominating possession and probing for an opening in the Canterbury defence.

They appear to have come up with some novel set pieces since coach Jose Figueira took over as an All Whites assistant coach.

One particular set piece routine brought about their goal as Kayara powered past his marker at a cor- ner to slam home an unstoppable header.

The goal put Wellington further into the ascendancy in open play, but they were unable to find another goal before halftime despite a host of clear-cut chances. Striker Ross Allen was the most profligate.

Canterbury were just hanging on as the half drew to a close, but would be playing with a strong northerly at their backs in the second half. They almost put that wind to good use two minutes into the half when Gary Ogilvie heaved in a long-range free kick, which the wind was pushing towards Basalaj’s top corner before he made a late decision to paw it away.

Canterbury were a much improved unit in the second 45, pressing Wellington into mistakes in possession. Nakamura had another great chance to grab his side a goal in the 55th minute, but fired straight at Basalaj with his shot from just inside the box.

There were few chances for the next 25 minutes before a frenetic final 10 minutes when Wellington had a penalty shout turned down and Ogilvie fired well over from 15 yards out with either side of the goal begging. Wellington had three or four chances to kill off the game from there, but lacked a killer final pass.