Navy Blues to face familiar foes
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Auckland City FC to face Team Wellington in the ISPS Handa Premiership Grand Final after the defending champions defeat Canterbury United 1-0 in their semi-final clash today.
In a dour match where yellow cards dominated the day it was Roy Kayara's first half header that was enough to ensure Team Wellington advanced to their third grand final on the trot.
Canterbury United were rarely in the match and Team Wellington's passage to the final was ensured after a stop-start second half where the home side dominated the midfield.
Futa Nakamura struck the post in the first 10 minutes but they never quite came to grips with the movement and combination play of Nathaniel Hailemariam, Ross Allen and Jack Henry Sinclair.
Football Ferns and Sky Sport broadcaster Sarah Gregorious summed up the match succinctly.
"Canterbury United dominated the first 15 minutes but apart from that Team Wellington could've been up by a couple in the first half. Canterbury United were restricted to half chances and another day may have taken them but it wasn't to be," she said on Sky Sport.
Next week's match is set for Sunday 1 April with a 4.35pm NZST kick-off at QBE Stadium.
Ends
Match Details
ISPS Handa Premiership Semi-Final
Sunday 25 March 2018
Team Wellington 1 (Roy Kayara)
Canterbury United 0
HT: 1-0
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Player Profiles
Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 8 | 24 |
| 2 |  | WS | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 9 | 21 |
| 3 |  | BU | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 9 | 19 |
| 4 |  | ES | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 11 | 15 |
| 5 |  | BO | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 18 | 15 |
| 6 |  | MN | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 21 | 15 | 13 |
| 7 |  | AU | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 11 | 12 |
| 8 |  | TC | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 19 | 22 | 10 |
| 9 |  | WR | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 23 | 5 |
| 10 |  | EB | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 17 | 3 |
| 11 |  | MU | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 32 | 3 |
| 12 |  | HW | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 25 | 2 |
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