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Junior Navy Blues face nervous wait

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 15 December 2018

Picture: Phototek

NELSON, New Zealand - Auckland City FC have finished the season undefeated after a 5-0 thumping of Tasman United but they must wait another 24 hours to see if it is enough to claim back-to-back National Youth League titles.

Auckland City FC have one hand on the trophy but Waitakere United could topple Camilo Speranza's team off the top of the table when they meet Hamilton Wanderers at McLennan Park in Papakura on Sunday.

The West Aucklanders were smashed by the Junior Navy Blues 5-1 at the start of the season but if they can defeat Wanderers by seven goals or more they'll pip Auckland City FC to the title.

The tie-breakers in the competition do not count head-to-head results and if Auckland City FC and Waitakere United finish level on goal difference, Waitakere United's superior goals for would be the deciding factor.

As for the Tasman United match, there was rarely any doubt about the destination of the points.

Bradley Wilson opened the scoring after a quarter-of-an-hour before Maro Bonsu-Maro - on target in the 2-2 draw with Team Wellington and scorer of the winner for the first team at Hamilton Wanderers almost a fortnight ago - doubled the lead midway through the first half.

Bonsu-Maro netted again before the break then capped off a fine individual performance scoring a further two, including one in additional time, to make it a four goal salvo for the in-form striker. 

Today's victory was notable for the Junior Navy Blues as they finished the season undefeated for the third time in history. They have not been beaten at this level since 2016 when they finished sixth.

A confirmed title victory tomorrow would also give Auckland City FC their second successful defence of a National Youth league crown following on from their back-to-back wins in 2013 and 2014.

Waitakere United's match with Hamilton Wanderers kicks off at 2pm NZST tomorrow.

Ends

Match Result
National Youth League
Saturday 15 December 2018
Tasman United 0
Auckland City FC 5 (Bradley WILSON 17', Maro BONSU-MARO 23', 43', 79', 90+1')
HT: 0-3.

AC: 1. Ruben PARKER (GK)(24. Gareth LEWIS (GK) 85'), 2. Nathan LOBO (15. Bradley THOMAS 90'), 3. Jackson WOODS, 4. Robert TIPELU, 7. Justin BAILEY (20. Laith AL-KALISY 66'), 8. Oscar SPRAGG (22. Micaiah PAPA 66'), 9. Thomas DRILLIEN (16. Mohammed SHAH 85'), 10. Maro BONSU-MARO, 13. Joshua JONES (c), 19. Bradley WILSON, 21. Callum McNEILL.

COACH: Camilo SPERANZA. 

Other results

Friday 14 December 2018
Team Wellington 0
Wellington Phoenix 3

Saturday 15 December 2018
Hawke's Bay United 0
Eastern Suburbs 1

Southern United 2
Canterbury United 2

Playing tomorrow
Sunday 16 December 2018
Waitakere United v Hamilton Wanderers
McLennan Park, Papakura, 2pm NZST
*Waitakere United must defeat Hamilton Wanderers by seven goals to win the National Youth League title

NATIONAL YOUTH LEAGUE - PREVIOUS WINNERS
2019 - TBC
2018 - Auckland City FC
2017 - Hamilton Wanderers
2016 - Team Wellington
2015 - Nelson-Marlborough Falcons
2014 - Auckland City FC
2013 - Auckland City FC
2012 - Canterbury United
2011 - Waitakere United
2010 - Canterbury United
2009 - Auckland City FC
2008 - Waitakere United
2007 - Auckland City FC
2006 - Capital FootbalL
2005 - Capital Football
2004 - North Harbour
2003 - Capital Football
2002 - Auckland Football

NATIONAL YOUTH LEAGUE TITLE WINS
5 - Auckland City FC
3 - Capital Football
2 - Canterbury United, Waitakere United
1 - North Harbour, Auckland Football, Nelson-Marlborough Falcons, Hamilton Wanderers, Team Wellington

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