Waitakere United with advantage heading home

Waitakere United take a first leg win and a one goal advantage over Team Wellington heading into Saturday’s NZFC semi final return leg at Douglas Field.

 

The win in Wellington on Saturday was hard earned and secured thanks to the pace and vision of Roy Krishna as he intercepted a back pass to score midway through the second half of a tight encounter.

 

Head Coach Chris Milicich is pleased with the work of his side.

 

“We were not perhaps at our best but we knuckled down away from home against a good side and got the job done. Generally I was pleased with the performance and the effort of the team but the job is only half done, we must return home now and step things up to secure a place in the final.”

 

Wellington coach Stu Jacobs was far from dispirited after the match, suggesting his team had performed well ‘against the odds’ in a comment that may well fire up the home side on Saturday.

 

"They were lucky to win that. If that's the best they can throw at us with the budget they've got then [they’re beatable]," Jacobs said.

Truth is on the day both sides might have added to the scoring statistics, with Andy Barron denied by the crossbar and Waitakere keeper Richard Gillespie while Krishna was creative and Allan Pearce unlucky not to score late in the match as James Bannatyne kept the home side in the tie.

The other semi final is interestingly poised after a drama filled afternoon at Palmerston North on Sunday when 9 man YoungHeart Manawatu defeated Auckland City 3-1, Jason Hayne’s late goal when his side had lost Gustavo Seragulei and Raffaele de Gregorio giving Bob Sova’s side a crucial two goal cushion heading to Auckland.

 

NZFC Semi Final, Second Leg

Waitakere United v Team Wellington

Saturday March 21st

Kick Off 3pm

Douglas Field

Henderson

 

Game will be proceeded by

 

National Youth League

KO 12noon

Waitakere United v Hawkes Bay United