Top four locked in
PHILLIP ROLLO
Auckland City and Team Wellington have maintained their momentum heading into the OFC Champions League after picking up a win apiece in the ISPS Handa Premiership.
Although their place in the semifinals was already confirmed, Auckland and Wellington’s wins, against Tasman United and Waita¯kere United respectively, had major implications for the opposition as it officially ended their hopes of reaching the top four.
Instead, it is Canterbury United who will join Auckland, Wellington and Eastern Suburbs in the semifinals, after edging Hamilton Wanderers, with the remaining rounds left to determine who will earn hosting rights.
TOP FOUR CONFIRMED
With Tasman and Waita¯kere both losing, Canterbury’s place in the top four was confirmed even before the kickoff of their match against Hamilton Wanderers at Porritt Stadium in Hamilton yesterday.
Canterbury still did the business though, with George King scoring the game’s only goal in the 56th minute after finishing off a brilliant full-field counterattack.
After making an easy save at a corner kick, goalkeeper Coey Turipa quickly threw the ball to Stephen Hoyle, who charged 50m up the field before offloading to King.
King, a Manchester City youth product, took a touch to get the ball on to his favoured left foot before letting rip with a superb strike that managed to beat Wanderers goalkeeper Matt Oliver at the near post.
SINCLAIR PROVIDES SPARK
the Wellington Phoenix setup after the academy player scored one and created another in Team Wellington’s 4-1 win over Waita¯ kere.
Coach Jose Figueira said Sinclair, who has six goals in eight games, was an instrumental figure as the defending champions continued their push for a home semifinal.
‘‘Sometimes, especially for the young players who always dream to be professionals here or overseas, you have to take a step sideways before actually going forwards and for us as a club it’s important we have that good relationship with the Phoenix,’’ he said, when discussing Sinclair’s form.
Other standout performers were Andy Bevin, who scored a double, and goalkeeper Scott Basalaj, who denied Keegan Linderboom at the penalty spot when the game was still in the balance.
SOUTHERN ON THE RISE
player Adam Parkhouse was not enough to inspire the Wellington Phoenix reserves in their match against Southern United at Sunnyvale Park in Dunedin on Sunday, falling to a heavy 4-0 defeat.
Southern were rewarded for their large periods of dominance, scoring twice in each half through Alex Ridsdale, Danny Ledwith, Nick Treadwell and Andrew Ridden to move up to sixth on the table.
‘‘In fairness to the Phoenix, the game was probably much closer than a 4-0,’’ Southern coach Paul O’Reilly said. ‘‘We’re delighted to win because I think they’ve got lots of good young players, have a good structure and play an attractive style of football.
‘‘The target was to try and break into the top six and today gets us back on track a bit but it’s crucial we follow it up.’’
With four wins to their name, Southern are currently experiencing their best season in eight years.