What a game to see live. Great crowd and atmosphere. Two strong teams who proved that despite some doubts along the way they are still the best two teams in domestic NZ football. Olympic sneaking into extra time with a late equaliser then ACFC getting them back with a late one of their own to take it to pens.
Shootouts are a lottery, but Auckland City took better pens and were more composed. Was supporting Olympic, but considering the whole football match, Auckland City edged it and deserved to win.
Some will moan about it being predictable, but when you consider their enormous schedule this year and many trials and tribulations throughout, it's still a great feat that Auckland City had the staying power right until the end.
Just got home from the game and still in shock. From a neutral perspective that was an awesome game to watch.
City were the first to score in the 81st minute but Olympic were able to pull themselves from death with a goal in the 3rd minute of added time, only one of two last minute equalisers. In the 101st minute Olympic were able to pull ahead with a second goal and it was looking like they were about to run away with it when in the dying seconds City were able to find their own equaliser to send it into penalties.
For a second time this game Olympic looked as though they were going to run away with it, saving the first penalty against City. Unfortunately the 5th penalty was sent wide and it was into sudden death with City to shoot first and Olympic to qualify. Obviously we all know how this ends, Olympic hits the cross bar and City win their 3rd National league.
To be frank it felt like City played better throughout the game. Their shots and passes were sharper, they had a more structured build up for their attack and had some nice positioning. Olympic it feels like are a club that thrives on chaos, individual talent and a healthy dose of black magic to succeed. Olympic was also quite physical which docked them so many yellows they became the Nix and sold it.
As someone who went their supporting Olympic that was a very disappointing result. Selling the win twice is gonna be a hard pill to swallow for the boys. The night wasn't completely lost though, that was one hell of an atmosphere for non-professional football and a MASSIVE turnout from the Olympic. They say this was Wellington's biggest congregation of Greeks in decades.
Anyway, with Olympic winning the Chathams Cup in September and City winning the national league today these two will be meeting soon for the Champions league qualifiers (Before anyone brings up whether or not the competition happens we've already had this discussion, I'm just bringing it up because it's literally the next step)
Towards the end of the Northern League they needed to pull the rabbit out of the hat to scrape into the National League in fourth place on goal difference.
Then they had to go on a run of 3 straight wins in the back end of the National League Championship to scrape into the final.
Then they go ahead and win on penalties and lift the trophy today. It really says something about the club even when they look down and out they always seem to find a way to punch back or scrape through.
Towards the end of the Northern League they needed to pull the rabbit out of the hat to scrape into the National League in fourth place on goal difference.
Then they had to go on a run of 3 straight wins in the back end of the National League Championship to scrape into the final.
Then they go ahead and win on penalties and lift the trophy today. It really says something about the club even when they look down and out they always seem to find a way to punch back or scrape through.
Definitely, with the creation of AFC, I thought it may have spelt the end of them being on top in Auckland. I know it's AFC's second year but with them signing the likes of Tade for the OFC League, I thought they might have poached more from ACFC.
Next year could be critical for the future of ACFC, more so than when AFC came to be initially.
The loss of the CWC money pit from now on, likely a bigger blow to ACFC than AFC coming to be. We wait to see
And early days re signing announcements for AFC II and the OFC League. The right thing to do was wait until after today’s NL Final before divulging more
Terrific match. It's a shame it, this final and the National League itself, doesn't generate media coverage. https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360915427/auckland-city-win-11th-national-title-after-penalty-shootout-final-thriller-against-wellington
Even then this is behind the paywall.
Profile pic. Should you be interested. Lakhsen, on the right, lost touch with him. Mohammed, on the left, I'm still in touch with. He's now living in Agadez, Niger. More focused on his animals now as tourism has dried up. Is active with a co-op promoting local goods, leather work and bijouterie, into Europe. 20/5/20
Since this, Christian Gray has scored in the final round #NZNationalLeague win vs Coastal Spirit that sealed Auckland City's grand final spot
Then he scored a 120+2' min equaliser to take the grand final to penalties where he converted his attempt with the game on the line https://t.co/MuqKebLsZ4
Since this, Christian Gray has scored in the final round #NZNationalLeague win vs Coastal Spirit that sealed Auckland City's grand final spot
Then he scored a 120+2' min equaliser to take the grand final to penalties where he converted his attempt with the game on the line https://t.co/MuqKebLsZ4
Auckland were the better team. Better players and fans. Olympic always feels unwelcoming.
What utter nonsense (apart from them being the better team in the 90, which is true).
Outstanding club atmosphere, the fans hold their team and others to account with proper active support and they are super welcoming in the club house after. The club’s junior base is growing but it still lives and breathes from its hospo revenue so they literally can’t afford to be inhospitable.
Auckland were the better team. Better players and fans. Olympic always feels unwelcoming.
What utter nonsense (apart from them being the better team in the 90, which is true).
Outstanding club atmosphere, the fans hold their team and others to account with proper active support and they are super welcoming in the club house after. The club’s junior base is growing but it still lives and breathes from its hospo revenue so they literally can’t afford to be inhospitable.
Depends if you count grown adults running down the back doing birdies to Mar supporters
Auckland were the better team. Better players and fans. Olympic always feels unwelcoming.
What utter nonsense (apart from them being the better team in the 90, which is true).
Outstanding club atmosphere, the fans hold their team and others to account with proper active support and they are super welcoming in the club house after. The club’s junior base is growing but it still lives and breathes from its hospo revenue so they literally can’t afford to be inhospitable.
Depends if you count grown adults running down the back doing birdies to Mar supporters
I mean they are each other's biggest rivals wasn't like they were doing this to some random football fans
Auckland were the better team. Better players and fans. Olympic always feels unwelcoming.
What utter nonsense (apart from them being the better team in the 90, which is true).
Outstanding club atmosphere, the fans hold their team and others to account with proper active support and they are super welcoming in the club house after. The club’s junior base is growing but it still lives and breathes from its hospo revenue so they literally can’t afford to be inhospitable.
Depends if you count grown adults running down the back doing birdies to Mar supporters
I mean they are each other's biggest rivals wasn't like they were doing this to some random football fans
Righto. Btw Olympic stalwart has just been named Mar coach
Anyway, with Olympic winning the Chathams Cup in September and City winning the national league today these two will be meeting soon for the Champions league qualifiers (Before anyone brings up whether or not the competition happens we've already had this discussion, I'm just bringing it up because it's literally the next step)
Do we know yet whether they are bringing back the playoff for the Champions League spot again?
Last year they got rid of the playoff and it just went to Auckland City as the National League Champions. I haven't heard anything about it this year so just assumed they weren't bothering with the qualifying playoff again
Anyway, with Olympic winning the Chathams Cup in September and City winning the national league today these two will be meeting soon for the Champions league qualifiers (Before anyone brings up whether or not the competition happens we've already had this discussion, I'm just bringing it up because it's literally the next step)
Do we know yet whether they are bringing back the playoff for the Champions League spot again?
Last year they got rid of the playoff and it just went to Auckland City as the National League Champions. I haven't heard anything about it this year so just assumed they weren't bothering with the qualifying playoff again
The Chatham Cup has nothing to do with the OFC Champions League.
The national league regulations state that if there's one place on offer (which is what there is, as far as I'm aware) the winner of the National League Championship grand final qualifies – so Auckland City.
(though they actually state that said team qualifies for the "OFC Qualifying Competition of the FIFA Club World Cup," which is now outdated language)
After doing the Southern, Central and Northern Leagues, I thought I would also be right to do the National League. So here are the stats for the National League 2022 to 2025, Grand Finals stats aren't included.
There have been 588 player that have played in the league.
Most Appearances: 37 Gianni Bouzoukis 37 Riley Grover 37 Oscar Mason 36 Scott Basalaj 35 Tor Davenport Petersen 34 Michael Den Heijer 34 Adam Mitchell 33 Jack-Henry Sinclair 33 Benjamin Wallace 32 Justin Gulley 32 Ben Mata 32 Mario Ilich 32 Kaelin Nguyen 32 Sam Lack
Most Goals: 28 Garbhan Coughlan 26 Gianni Bouzoukis 14 Jack-Henry Sinclair 13 Angus Kilkolly 10 Monty Patterson 10 Edward Wilkinson 9 Martin Bueno 9 Myer Bevan 9 Daniel Bunch 9 Hamish Watson
Most Yellow Cards: 9 James Hoyle 8 Daniel Maclennan 8 Ross Haviland 8 Riley Grover 7 Cameron Emerson 6 Wan Gatkek 6 Haris Zeb 6 Justin Gulley 6 Ben Mata 6 Gianni Bouzoukis 6 Cameron Mackenzie 6 Dino Botica
Most Red Cards: 23 players have received a straight red card
Most Minutes Played: 3,143 Scott Basalaj 3,057 Riley Grover 2,947 Tor Davenport Petersen 2,788 Adam Mitchell 2,726 Jack-Henry Sinclair 2,680 Michael Den Heijer 2,614 Justin Gulley 2,610 Oscar Mason 2,592 Mario Ilich 2,513 Dino Botica
Most subbed on players: 22 Sam Lack 17 Harry Mason 15 Angus Kilkolly 14 Lewis Miller 14 William Stephen 14 Benjamin Wallace 14 Kaelin Nguyen
With ACFC winning the National League in 2025, where do you see them in the next two - three years. There is not much point to stay with them as a player given the OFC league exists and AFC is around.
Well a number are now signing for either SIU or AFC II in the OFC League. Yoo, Manuel, Zeb, Ellis and den Heijer. Rumours Nathan Lobo also likely to be in the OFC League. Christian Gray maybe as well.
Though some may return to ACFC when the OFC League finishes in May.
Also Myer Bevan has left for Cambodia, plus Garrow rumoured for South Africa.
So that's up to 9 guys who may not be there, start of next Northern League season.
Hey so I have a question and I don't know which channel is the right one to ask this so I'm gonna ask this here:
How come only a few clubs have continued after the New Zealand Football Championship dissolved in 2021?
I've been doing research into some of the history of Kiwi football and this is the one thing I don't understand. From what I can tell the only clubs to continue have been Auckland City, Eastern Suburbs, Hamilton Wanderers and Southern United in a more limited capacity(?) But why didn't other clubs continue running like Waitakere United or Team Wellington, both of which saw success at a continental level (Albeit OFC level)
Hey so I have a question and I don't know which channel is the right one to ask this so I'm gonna ask this here:
How come only a few clubs have continued after the New Zealand Football Championship dissolved in 2021?
I've been doing research into some of the history of Kiwi football and this is the one thing I don't understand. From what I can tell the only clubs to continue have been Auckland City, Eastern Suburbs, Hamilton Wanderers and Southern United in a more limited capacity(?) But why didn't other clubs continue running like Waitakere United or Team Wellington, both of which saw success at a continental level (Albeit OFC level)
Hey so I have a question and I don't know which channel is the right one to ask this so I'm gonna ask this here:
How come only a few clubs have continued after the New Zealand Football Championship dissolved in 2021?
I've been doing research into some of the history of Kiwi football and this is the one thing I don't understand. From what I can tell the only clubs to continue have been Auckland City, Eastern Suburbs, Hamilton Wanderers and Southern United in a more limited capacity(?) But why didn't other clubs continue running like Waitakere United or Team Wellington, both of which saw success at a continental level (Albeit OFC level)
Your mistake is in viewing the NZFC teams as clubs, they were franchises. Follow the history https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Football_Championship#History and click on each clubs page.
Eastern Suburbs who joined in the 2016 expansion are the only true club who retained identify before, during, and after their NZFC participation.
Hamilton Wanderers took over WaiBop United franchise Auckland City - sister club to Central Hawkes Bay - sister club to Napier City Rovers Waitakere United, Team Wellington, Tasman, Canterbury, Southern - franchises representing many clubs in their catchment area.
Hey so I have a question and I don't know which channel is the right one to ask this so I'm gonna ask this here:
How come only a few clubs have continued after the New Zealand Football Championship dissolved in 2021?
I've been doing research into some of the history of Kiwi football and this is the one thing I don't understand. From what I can tell the only clubs to continue have been Auckland City, Eastern Suburbs, Hamilton Wanderers and Southern United in a more limited capacity(?) But why didn't other clubs continue running like Waitakere United or Team Wellington, both of which saw success at a continental level (Albeit OFC level)
Money. Lack of.
Sorta figured this was the answer. Again though a bit surprised clubs like TW and WU didn't have enough funds. ACFC I can understand, but then again I wasn't paying attention to local football back then
Hey so I have a question and I don't know which channel is the right one to ask this so I'm gonna ask this here:
How come only a few clubs have continued after the New Zealand Football Championship dissolved in 2021?
I've been doing research into some of the history of Kiwi football and this is the one thing I don't understand. From what I can tell the only clubs to continue have been Auckland City, Eastern Suburbs, Hamilton Wanderers and Southern United in a more limited capacity(?) But why didn't other clubs continue running like Waitakere United or Team Wellington, both of which saw success at a continental level (Albeit OFC level)
Your mistake is in viewing the NZFC teams as clubs, they were franchises. Follow the history https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Football_Championship#History and click on each clubs page.
Eastern Suburbs who joined in the 2016 expansion are the only true club who retained identify before, during, and after their NZFC participation.
Hamilton Wanderers took over WaiBop United franchise Auckland City - sister club to Central Hawkes Bay - sister club to Napier City Rovers Waitakere United, Team Wellington, Tasman, Canterbury, Southern - franchises representing many clubs in their catchment area.
Ok yeah when you put it like that it makes a lot more sense, thank you
It still comes down to individuals putting their hand in their pockets - as always, in NZ football & elsewhere. Rex Dawkins for Waitakere Utd, Ivan Vuksich for ACFC ... probably the Board of Wngtn Utd were desperately looking for sponsors for Team Wngtn...
Miramar pretty much ran Team Wellington for the last few years. It started as a combination of most Wellington clubs, chaired by Tawa's Mike Wood.
Waitakere United were established for the NZFC pretty much as a vehicle being run by Waitakere City. When the NZFC finished, not many players went to City, I think Briko were probably the biggest recruiter of NZFC players.
Auckland City held firm.
Youngheart were booted out years before (boo!) and were replaced by a nepo youth team based at North Harbour.
Southern United was run by Southern Football right up until the end I believe and dissolved when the league finished.
Same with Canterbury United (run by Mainland Football). Dissolved when the NZFC went away.
For anything Waikato related, you'll have to read Bruce Holloway's excellent writing / musings. It changed so much over the years up there than it requires a lot of explaining!