Grand final, here we come
Team Wellington end Auckland City’s unbeaten run
Team Wellington have handed Auckland City their first defeat of the national men’s football league season and booked themselves a place in next Sunday’s decider.
Goals to Angus Kilkolly – from the penalty spot – Jack-Henry Sinclair, and Joel Stevens helped them to a 3-1 win in their semifinal at Kiwitea St in Auckland yesterday, with Angel Berlanga pulling one back for the hosts.
City had gone undefeated through the regular season for the third time in their history, with their only blemish a draw away to Southern United.
But just like the previous two occasions – in 2011-12 and 2015-16 – it was the men from the capital who halted their charge.
Team Wellington will now face Eastern Suburbs (1-0 winners over Canterbury United in the first semifinal on Saturday) in the Premiership final at QBE Stadium next Sunday, with the winner joining City in next year’s OFC Champions League – assuming it remains an annual event.
The game followed the pattern of play these two teams have often produced, with Auckland City dominating possession and Team Wellington looking to play fast on the counter.
City fullback Dan Morgan had the first major chance of the game, forcing a save from Scott Basalaj quarter of an hour in, but that was a rare moment of danger in a rather dour opening half.
It was a Team Wellington counter that gave them the opportunity to go ahead in the 36th minute, with midfielder Andy Bevin releasing wingback Eric Molloy down the right.
The Irishman made his way to the byline then tried to turn back and cross the ball across goal with his left, but his pass was blocked by Dylan Manickum’s outstretched hand and referee Antony Riley had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Kilkolly planted his shot in the bottom left-hand corner of Enaut Zubikarai’s goal, with the Spanish stopper diving in the other direction.
City had settled for shots from range rather often in the first half, but nearly drew level with one immediately after going behind, Basalaj doing well to palm away David Browne’s effort that bounced awkwardly in front of him.
Team Wellington doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half in simple fashion, Sinclair running on to a goal kick that Basalaj sent beyond the right side of City’s defence and shooting past Zubikarai into the far corner of the net.
Auckland City halved the deficit with just over 20 minutes to play, when Berlanga rose in front of Bevin and sent a header past Basalaj – his first national league goal since the 2011-12 season, which was the last time his side missed out on a place in the final.
However, creativity was in short supply, and substitute Joel Stevens put the game to bed in stoppage time, sealing Team Wellington’s first win over City in seven games across all competitions since October 2017.