City get Wellington Olympic in Cup semifinal

Words: ACFC Media

Tuesday 2 August 2022

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC will play Wellington Olympic in the Chatham Cup semi-final at Kiwitea Street later this month.

The Navy Blues have never met the Wellingtonians previously although the squad coached by Rupert Kemeys features some familiar faces from now defunct rivals Team Wellington.

Goalkeeper Scott Basalaj, Justin Gulley, Nathaneal Hailemariam, Jack-Henry Sinclair, Jesse Randall and Alex Palezevic are all familiar to Kiwitea Street fans.

Coach Albert Riera has had a busy week preparing his team for the OFC Champions League which begins on Friday with a crunch match against New Caledonian giants Hienghene Sport in a midday kick-off.

Despite the hectic schedule, Riera said the draw was an exciting one.

"Wellington Olympic are a team we know a lot about, they have a lot of players we are familiar with and it's going to be a very exciting game.

Introducing your 2022 Chatham Cup semi-finals @AucklandCity_FC vs @WgtnOlympic @ESAFC vs @HamWanderersNZ pic.twitter.com/4waTANwJYr
— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) August 2, 2022

"We're very lucky and happy at the same time having to play that game at home.

"We've been away to Dunedin in the last round and I think for our fans to be able to see the semifinal against a very good team at home it's fantastic.

"Obviously, there are four teams left and all of them have made merits to be in the semi finals so we're very excited to be part of that," Riera told www.aucklandcityfc.com.

Defender Sam Brotherton echoed the sentiments of Riera.

"We're really happy to be at Kiwitea Street. We enjoy playing at home in front of our supporters and I'm sure it'll be a great occasion against a good team.

"It's something to look forward to for sure but right now our focus is on the OFC Champions League and then we'll look forward to the Chatham Cup semi-final," he said.

Ends

Chatham Cup Semi Final Draw - August 20-21, 2022

Auckland City FC v Wellington Olympic
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham - kick-off TBC

Eastern Suburbs AFC v Hamilton Wanderers
Madills Farm, Kohimarama - kick-off TBC