WHENUAPAI, Auckland - Waitakere United extinguished the Junior Navy Blues National Youth League title hopes with a 2-0 win at Fred Taylor Park in Whenuapai on Sunday.
A fourth minute striker by former Auckland City FC midfielder George Debenham gave the hosts the perfect start to a match that shaped as a must-win for both teams.
The victory was sealed for Waitakere United when Gilberto Souza grabbed a second with less than a minute left to play.
The National Youth League title is now within reach for Hamilton Wanderers who travel to Hawke's Bay United where a draw would be enough to become champions.
Team Wellington and Waitakere United each have a slim chance to overhaul Wanderers but have to win their respective away games at Canterbury United and the Wellington Phoenix then hope Hawke's Bay United pull off a major upset and beat the Waikato club.
Then the title race could come down to goal difference where Team Wellington (+15) currently hold a two goal advantage over Waitakere United (+13). Hamilton Wanderers have a plus seven goal difference.
A win for the Junior Navy Blues and defeats for Team Wellington and Waitakere United would mean a second consecutive runners-up finish for the team coached by Andy Peat.
Ends
Match Results
National Youth League
Saturday 10 December, 2016
Team Wellington 2
Tasman United 0
Hawke's Bay United 4
Southern United 1
Sunday 11 December, 2016
Waitakere United 2 (George Debenham, Gilberto Souza)
Auckland City FC 0
Eastern Suburbs AFC 1
Canterbury United Dragons 0
Hamilton Wanderers 2
Wellington Phoenix 1
Next fixtures
Saturday 17 December, 2016
Tasman United v Southern United - 11.00am
Sunday 18 December, 2016
Canterbury United v Team Wellington - 1pm
Hawke's Bay United v Hamilton Wanderers - 1pm
Auckland City FC v Eastern Suburbs AFC - 1pm
Wellington Phoenix v Waitakere United - 1pm
Monday 1 April 2024, Kiwitea Street, 3.00pm
Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | TC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | |
2 | AC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
3 | MN | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
4 | BO | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
5 | WS | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | |
6 | ES | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
7 | WC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
8 | BU | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | |
9 | ES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
10 | AU | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
11 | EB | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
12 | ME | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |