Having finished bottom last year, NFF had already proven that they were a team to be taken seriously this year, holding current champs Auckland to two draws. But we were languishing a little in 4th place with a 1-4-1 record.
It was a tough ask for the NFF boys. Several of the key players were out due to injury or exams, including Denny, and this round we were going up against the 3 southern powerhouses and an in-form Manawatu team.
First up we drew Manawatu, and both teams opened defensively, and although we found their net midway through the first half, they countered just before half time. They pushed ahead of us in the second, and then doubled that lead. And although we got one back, they reopened their two goal lead towards the end of the game. Again we climbed back into the match, but with the clock ticking down it appeared we were going to be on the wrong side of a 4-3 scoreline. Then, with 49 seconds on the clock, Art sent two defenders the wrong way as he dragged a ball down the baseline and shot behind the keeper for a goal.
Next up were perennial bridesmaids – Capital – whose star-studded team had played in four of the six championship finals over the years. But this year they were off form, languishing near the bottom of the table. It wasn’t until midway through the first half, with Capital already running a high foul count, that Art converted a free kick (off the fifth and final foul) to put NFF up 1-0. After that Capital lost their composure and during the next 10 minutes NFF were handed four 10m penalties. But despite four different players stepping up, they were unable to convert any, and Capital would’ve been very relieved going in to half time with just a one goal deficit.
In the second half Capital regained their confidence, scoring two quick goals to rattle the Northerners. Now it was NFF who were running up the foul count. We clawed back the goal, but gave away 5 fouls in the process, and the game had swung in Capital’s favor. Capital threw everything at us, but we retook the lead when Art ran onto a lob pass, chipping behind the defence and running through to tap the ball through the keepers legs. Wellington responded by playing 5th man, but it backfired when our GK Mitch Verry caught a ball and punted it the length of the field into the vacant Capital Goal.
Judging on the form books our third game, against Canterbury, should’ve been our easiest. But we never really rose to the intensity that the Mainlanders brought to the game. Although we had plenty of possession, our mistakes were being punished, and Canterbury built up a 3-0 cushion before NFF finally responded – Art hit the post, and Culpan gathered up the rebound.
Southern, who were our last opponent of the series, were the Goliath of this tournament, proving themselves to be all but unbeatable with a 28 goal differential and an 8 point buffer over WaiBOP in second place. Earlier they’d beaten Auckland 8-2, and were fairly confident of dispatching NFF cheaply. But our boys had other plans.
NFF managed to contain the Southern strikers, and led 1-0 at half time. But it was clear the Southerners were looking to break out. And the start of the second half was pandemonium as the Southerners let loose a barrage, coming away with three goals in the space of a couple of minutes. But NFF were also finding the net, and the lead see-sawed back and forth. The final score of 6-6 left both sides ruing mistakes and missed opportunities.
Two draws, a win and a loss leave NFF in 5th place, 1 point behind Auckland and 2 behind Canterbury. Manawatu is another 2 points back, and HB and Capital are both struggling on 7 points.
The final round in Auckland on 9 – 11 December promises to be a nail-biter. With four games each left to play, and 12 points on the line, all teams are mathematically still in the championship. It’s going to be a matter of heart as to who steps up in the final four for their shot at the 2016 crown. So it’ll be up to our guys to bring out their ‘A Game’ in Auckland early next month.
Here’s a look at the highlights:
