Top two teams renew rivalry
Another chapter is New Zealand football’s biggest recent rivalry takes place in Albany this afternoon.
Auckland City will face defending champions Team Wellington in the Stirling Sports Premiership final, after both team emerged with narrow semifinal wins last weekend.
It’s an inter-city derby football fans hope will one day be replicated at A-League level and has taken over from Auckland’s previously epic encounters with Waitakere United.
In the past two years, Auckland and Wellington have clashed in three of the region’s biggest fixtures.
Auckland City trumped Wellington on penalties in the 2015 Oceania Champions League final, before the capital side got some revenge in last year’s domestic final, coming from behind to win 4-2 in extra time. But Auckland City had the final say a few weeks later, qualifying for another Club World Cup with a 3-0 win in the 2016 Oceania decider.
“These games are always intense [and] the players love to play in them,” said Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx.
“They help build up the game in this country, so it is great to be part of it. We understand the situation and we will be up for the battle.”
Auckland City enjoyed a clear edge over their capital rivals this campaign, with 3-1 and 4-0 victories in the regular season, but it should be closer today.
Team Wellington have improved throughout the season, and are on a high following their extraordinary semifinal win over Waitakere, which ended 6-6 after extra time, before Wellington prevailed on penalties. They also boast golden boot winner Tom Jackson, and joint runner-up Ben Harris.
“I’m pretty sure they are going to put out a 150 per cent performance,” said Tribulietx. “We know what to expect — we have played them many times in the last few years, so it is more around the mental side and understanding how we want to play.”
Auckland have also been without All Whites midfielder Clayton Lewis, stuck in Wellington until Thursday night and missing the week’s training sessions. They are also coming off a demanding schedule, with their Club World Cup and Nike Lunar Cup adventures this season. But they have maintained a miserly defensive record, with only 15 goals conceded in 19 premiership games.
“We’ve been on the wrong side of two results against them, probably deservedly so,” said Wellington coach Jose Figueira.
“But it’s been a long time since we played them and we’re a different team. We have a lot more belief and the boys will be eager to get out there, express themselves and hopefully put on another show.”