Titles hopes shattered by Waitakere
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
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Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 8 | 24 |
| 2 |  | WS | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 10 | 24 |
| 3 |  | BU | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 10 | 22 |
| 4 |  | ES | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 11 | 18 |
| 5 |  | AU | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 18 | 11 | 15 |
| 6 |  | BO | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 18 | 15 |
| 7 |  | MN | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 22 | 17 | 13 |
| 8 |  | TC | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 23 | 13 |
| 9 |  | WR | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 24 | 5 |
| 10 |  | EB | 9 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 19 | 3 |
| 11 |  | MU | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 10 | 36 | 3 |
| 12 |  | HW | 9 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 29 | 2 |
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