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Penalty Shootout Heartbreak For City
Words: ACFC Media
Saturday 7 September 2024
AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Auckland City FC’s dreams of clinching a second Chatham Cup title were shattered in a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Wellington Olympic in Saturday night’s final at North Harbour Stadium.
The match, which ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time, saw Wellington Olympic triumph 5-4 in the shootout, with goalkeeper Scott Basalaj saving Tong Zhou’s decisive spot-kick.
The Navy Blues had their chances throughout the match. Michael den Heijer and Ryan de Vries came agonisingly close in the first half, their efforts narrowly missing the target.
After the break, Conor Tracey produced a superb save to deny Jonty Roubos, while Joe Lee’s thunderous shot rattled Basalaj’s crossbar.
The deadlock was broken in the 77th minute when Nathan Lobo, under pressure, inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, giving Wellington Olympic the lead.
With time running out, Auckland City pushed forward relentlessly. Derek Tieku came close, and Stipe Ukich’s goal-bound header was cleared off the line.
In a frantic finale, eight minutes of added time saw disallowed goals at both ends for offside.
Deep into injury time, Ukich, who was named player of the match, levelled the scores with a brilliant header, sending the match into extra time.
During extra time, Tracey made another crucial save from Hamish Watson, while De Vries and Ukich had opportunities to score but couldn’t find the net.
The match ultimately went to penalties, where Wellington Olympic emerged victorious, leaving Auckland City to rue their missed opportunities.
Ends
MATCH DETAILS
CHATHAM CUP FINAL
Saturday, 7 September 2024
Wellington Olympic 1-1 AET (PEN 5-4) Auckland City FC
Wellington Olympic: 1 (Nathan LOBO (OG) 77’)
Auckland City FC: 1 (Stipe UKICH 90+6')
HT: 0-0
AC:, 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 3. Adam MITCHELL (C), 6. Kailan GOULD, (22.Tong ZHO 82’), 8.Gerard GARRIGA, 9.Angus KILKOLLY, (20. Derek TIEKU 86’), 11.Ryan DE VRIES, 12. Regont MURATI, (2. Mario ILICH 82’), 13. Nathan LOBO, (23. Matthew MATANYAYIRE 90+2), 16. Joe LEE, (4. Christian GRAY 95’), 25 Michael DEN HEIJER, 27. Stipe UKICH
SUBS NOT USED: 18. Areya PRASAD (GK), 21. Adam BELL
COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
TECHNICAL: Adria CASALS
LOGISTICS: Keith COTTON
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
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Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | BU | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 16 | 20 |
| 2 |  | AC | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 10 | 19 |
| 3 |  | WS | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 25 | 16 | 18 |
| 4 |  | NC | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 14 | 17 |
| 5 |  | WP | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 19 | 13 |
| 6 |  | WO | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 15 | 11 |
| 7 |  | CS | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 18 | 20 | 11 |
| 8 |  | CT | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 18 | 9 |
| 9 |  | ES | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 17 | 5 |
| 10 |  | WE | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 28 | 4 |
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