Chatham Cup semis

Chatham Cup semis

Central United v North Shore United, Kiwitea St, August 5, 2pm
Caversham v Western Suburbs, Tonga Park, August 11, 2pm

liverpoolfan12007-07-23 20:08:19

HOLDERS DRAW DAUNTING CUP DESTINATION

Wellington�s Western Suburbs must overcome one of the toughest trips in New Zealand football if they are to earn a shot at repeating as Chatham Cup champions.

The Central League leaders were today draw away to Dunedin powerhouse and Southern League leaders Caversham on August 11 � six days after Central United host North Shore United in the Cup�s first semifinal on August 5.

Caversham�s Tonga Park is one of the most feared football destinations while Central�s Kiwitea St will play host to an intriguing �Battle of the Bridge� encounter.

Three-time winners Central United will be appearing in their eighth semifinal in 11 years while North Shore hope to emulate University-Mt Wellington (formerly Mt Wellington) by going on to win the Chatham Cup for a record equaling seventh time.

In the Women�s Knockout Cup, Seatoun�s fourth consecutive semifinal is away to Western Springs, last season�s beaten finalists, while Glenfield Rovers host Christchurch�s Western.

The Chatham Cup final will be played on the weekend of September 1/2 while the final of the Women's Knock-Out Cup will be played on the weekend of August 25/26.

CHATHAM CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW (both 2pm kickoffs)

Central United v North Shore United, Kiwitea St, August 5
Caversham v Western Suburbs, Tonga Park, August 11

WOMEN'S KNOCKOUT CUP (both 1pm kickoffs)

Glenfield Rovers v Western Springs, McFetridge Park, August 12, (proposed)
Western Springs v Seatoun, Seddon Fields, August 19 (proposed)

so another draw made by the club treasurers..

are you serious 2years running the easiest path to the final

Yeah well, footballs corrupt. Just got to deal with it.

And NZ Football needs an Auckland team in the final in order to justify having it up there. . .

To be honest jiz 08, I think West�s would have easily preferred North Shore away than Cavy away. Only Central away would have been a worse draw, so certainly anyone thinking that this draw is of BENEFIT to West�s as a guaranteed finals spot, needs to pull their heads in and get over it. West�s have proved they are the best team in the Central League again this season, so they haven't got to where they are over the last 3 seasons due to good luck and favoritism by the powers that be.  But alas yes, I think we all knew there would be an all Auckland semi-final. Imagine the final being in Auckland and there being no Auckland teams in it. The crowd last year was poor enough. There was only any atmosphere thanks to the West�s supporters who traveled up.

Ollie2007-07-24 09:34:01

Having played in Dunedin for 4 years I know Cavvy away will be a tough game.  They will be a better side than most people think plus it will definitely be a heavy ground out at Tonga plus the travel is a factor, especially when you aren't used to it.  I do agree that there is no way that the final should be at North Shore though, there does need to be a new solution to this problem.

As devils advocate, do they move the FA Cup final from London (or Cardiff) just because it's Man U. vs Liverpool ?

True, but maybe the Cup Final (and indeed the Home of NZ football) should be moved to Wellington rather than Auckland? It's geographically central and perhaps Wellingtonians would be more likely to go along to a Central vs Caversham final (for example) than Aucklanders might a Wests vs Caversham final (for example).

Having it in Auckland is a nonsense...

Hmm, split loyalties for me.  North Shore is strong on defence and Sam Jasper can 'bend it like Beckham' so watch out for anything  from just outside the box.  Central might be in for a shock.