Kiwi Cup Final Day is a uniquely entertaining occasion. On the one hand we’re talking about the culmination of the winter club season with two prestigious trophies on the line and some of the best domestic players in going around. On the other hand the empty seats in the oversized stands and a level of stitched-together pageantry from NZ Football that would look underdone at most primary school prizegivings don’t exactly hype things up. This year both games were streamed on NZF’s YouTube with Sky TV nowhere to be seen. And for damn sure we coulda done without the barely disguised NPC rugby logo still lingering in the middle of the North Harbour Stadium pitch.

This’d never happen the other way around to a rugby game but oh well, so it goes. At least we got a couple decent livestreams – one area where NZF have certainly lifted their game in recent years. We also got two pretty fascinating match-ups with All-Auckland representation in the finals for the first time since 2017. Not sure that’s necessarily a good thing (or a bad thing) but it’s definitely a notable thing. Northern Rovers vs Auckland United in the Kate Sheppard Cup. Auckland City vs Eastern Suburbs in the Chatham Cup.

Four teams who also have some curious recent history. Northern Rovers and Auckland United are both amalgamation clubs, local rivals merged together to pool resources in anticipation of the changes to the National League that soon followed. Northern Rovers formed via the North Shore pairing of Glenfield Rovers and Forest Hill Milford. Auckland United the more centralised pairing of Onehunga Sports and Three Kings United.

Then in the CC you had Auckland City in their first ever final having transitioned into club status to keep the trophy-laden entity around beyond the end of the NZ Premiership era with its franchise teams. Plus Eastern Suburbs who are a legacy club in comparison but you could kinda say that their being admitted into the Premiership as a winter club did mark the beginning of the end of that enterprise.

All four finalists therefore represent changing times in NZ Football. After covid restricted things to a South-Central series last year we’re soon to begin the first proper club-based National League, albeit in a hybrid model for the women – with the top four Auckland/NFF clubs against the four federation teams from outside the region. That Women’s National League starts next week, no time to rest. But first: Cup Final Day.

KATE SHEPPARD CUP FINAL

Northern Rovers vs Auckland United

There was a clear favourite here as Northern Rovers won the NFF premier division by a pretty comfortable margin, losing only once all season on their way to the trophy. Through 21 games they finished 11 points clear of second placed Western Springs... and 17 points clear of fourth placed Auckland United. However when the two teams played a month ago it took a 94th minute winner from Michaela Foster for Rovers to claim a 2-1 victory (that was actually the match in which they clinched the title).

United were also more convincing in making it this far, beating Palmerston North Marist 5-2 in the semis with Martine Puketapu scoring four goals alongside another for Bree Johnson (Holly Kleinsmann scored both for Marist). Rovers had a tougher matchup against Dunedin City Royals but still it took a penalty shootout to progress. Leanna Ryan (12’) had put them up but Shontelle Smith equalised early second half. The game went to extra time where Kate McConnell (99’) again put Rovers in front... until Hannah Mackay-Wright (105+1’) levelled up again. But Rovers were flawless from the spot come the shootout and that’s what it took.

Northern Rovers set up in what looked like a 4-2-3-1 formation (or some variation) with Ellen Blount in goal and a strong back four with captain Talisha Green and Suya Haering outside Chelsea Elliott and Greer MacIntosh. In midfield they had Breeze Durham and Danielle Canham, with Estelle Harrison a bit further forward. Michaela Foster and Leanna Ryan were on the wings. Alexis Cook up front.

Fun fact: Chelsea Elliott and Michaela Foster both played for Hamilton Wanderers in the Kate Sheppard Cup final from last season which was postponed until early 2022 due to the pando. Surely that puts them in the unprecedented territory of having played two Kate Sheppard Cup finals in the same year... and for two different teams.

Auckland United were in more of a 4-3-3 shape. Aimee Feinberg-Danielli in goal. Emma Leaming and Jess Philpot at fullback. Footy Ferns centurion Katie Duncan lined up with Georgia Martin in central defence. Alosi Bloomfield was the holding midfielder alongside Bella Richards with Ruby Nathan in more of an attacking role. And in the forward line were Milly Clegg and Bree Johnson outside Martine Puketapu. Note that Clegg and Nathan were both away at the U20 World Cup recently – the two youngest players in that squad. Clegg scored a ripper of a goal in their last game.

Both goalies got early touches. Both teams tried to stretch the field with long switches of play, seeking to take advantage of the large pitch at North Harbour. Slightly surprisingly it was United who had more of the ball to ensure that a lot of the early stages took place down in Rovers’ defensive half... yet it was still Rovers who posed the first serious threats. Feinberg-Danieli had to be quick off her line for one through ball. She also made a sharp low save off a Cook header from a Haering cross. Canham headed wide from a Cook cross after a lovely ball down the line from Foster. Warning signs in place.

Katie Duncan’s guidance at the back was huge for United in settling things back down again, although she did put herself in yellow card trouble midway through the half when she took down Leanna Ryan on the wing. Probably a good foul given Ryan was about to burn her for pace (in general the Rovers attack seemed to have a speed advantage – especially Alexis Cook).

Rovers were flexing but United held on. Leanna Ryan got into space but her shot was poor. Then Estelle Harrison (2015 Maia Jackman Trophy winner with Glenfield Rovers) won the ball in the United half and Foster put Ryan through again... only for the shot to roll wide as Aimee Feinberg-Danieli closed her down. However just before the half, at the other end of the pitch, we did see Milly Clegg beginning to show what she’s capable of. Able to work herself into a few shooting positions albeit leading to nothing that she could test the goalkeeper with. Still 0-0 as we hit the sheds for half-time.

One player we hadn’t seen much of to this point was Martine Puketapu. Four goals in the semi-final but hard to remember four touches that she made in the first half of the final. You know what the best strikers are like though. It only takes one big moment to make the difference. About a dozen mins into the second half, Puketapu ran off the shoulder of the last defender as Clegg lifted a brilliant ball over the top of the defensive line. Puketapu only had the keeper to beat. She did so with calm precision, lifting the ball over Blount to make it 1-0.

Rovers were almost immediately up the other end forcing a save through Estelle Harrison on the cut-back. Then Feinberg-Danieli made a rare mistake as the ball slipped out of her grasp sliding out but her defence had her covered. That led to a break to check on AFD in case of a head knock. The AU keeper had already had one injury break earlier but she was soon cleared to continue.

United threatened a second as Nathan lifted one over the top for Johnson but keeper Blount got a touch on the ball this time – even still, AU seemed to have found a move that worked and Puketapu would have another chance from a similar chip over the top soon after only this time her shot went wide.

By now the clock was starting to run down. Credit to Auckland United for mostly trying to push for a second goal rather than shutting up shop (other than a few convenient instances of game management - as you would, especially in a cup final). A couple of times we saw Cook’s pace almost lead to something for Rovers. A fantastic pass from Foster to Ryan had the latter in enough space in the area to take a touch before shooting... but the shot clattered back off the far post. So close to the equaliser. A couple coats of paint on that upright was all that denied them.

Desperation time. Chelsea Elliott moved up front. She laid one off to Ryan after a superb run from Cook. Ryan’s shot was saved by AFD yet again. Five minutes added on. Cook got to the byline and crossed low for Elliot. Her shot was blocked by Leaming. Time ran down. Final whistle. Auckland United are Kate Sheppard Cup champions for 2022.

Katie Duncan won the Maia Jackman Trophy, the second of her career after also getting it back in 2009 as a 21 year old (Maia Jackman herself is the only other multiple winner – should point out that it only took on her name in 2013). However there were a number of other candidates in a game decided by some very close margins. Aimee Feinberg-Danieli must have especially been in close consideration after a number of solid saves – not bad for a 17 year old goalie in a national cup final. Can’t underestimate Duncan’s presence as a veteran in a very young team though.

This was one of those games which could have legitimately gone either way with only a few small differences. Basically, Auckland United were able to put one of their chances away. Northern Rovers were not. Both defences did great to limit the strengths of their opponents and AU’s deserves extra credit for the way they scrambled in the last ten minutes to earn the win. But cup finals are often decided in crucial instants. Milly Clegg to Martine Puketapu. A goal worthy of winning the Kate Sheppard Cup.

CHATHAM CUP FINAL

Auckland City vs Eastern Suburbs

Bit of an upset in the women’s final, albeit one that was well within the realms of possibility. If Eastern Suburbs could vanquish Auckland City in the men’s final though we’d be well beyond any usual upset. Auckland City are the best club team in the country and probably by a decent margin – maintaining a squad that’s at least on par (if not better) than what they ended the Premiership era with whilst every other Prem club has either evaporated up or gotten weaker.

Auckland City won the Northern League title by a hefty 11 point margin over second placed Birkenhead United. ACFC also won every game on the way to yet another Oceania Champions League title. Other than a draw early on against Hamilton Wanderers they won absolutely everything and usually to nil... until their undefeated season was burst last week in their final league game, going down 2-0 to Auckland United. Worth pointing out that they did rotate a couple blokes there – only seven players started both that game and the Chatham Cup final. Still, that was definitely a turn-up. Something for Eastern Suburbs to take confidence from.

Suburbs finished tenth in the Northern League which was only one place above the relegation zone (granted they did have a comfortable 12-point buffer that meant they were closer to sixth than they were to eleventh). It was a struggle of a season for them, suffering a number of injuries as they also tried to blood some youngsters into the first team. That left them exposed more than once... such as when they lost 4-1 to City earlier in the year.

But more recently they’ve had a sturdier line-up and a very reliable defence which has seen them find some consistency. It may have taken a somewhat dubious penalty to get past Hamilton Wanderers in the semi-final but four of their five Chatham Cup wins came with clean sheets so that’s not a fluke. There was a write-up about the semi-final results of both cup competitions in The Niche Cache’s Substack email a few weeks ago, by the way. Have a read of that if you will (also sign up to the mailing list... also support us on Patreon).

Auckland City lined up exactly as you’d expect as they chased their third trophy of the year (with one more still up for grabs in the National League). A 4-3-3 with Conor Tracey in goal, a back four of (from right to left) Jordan Vale, Adam Mitchell, Sam Brotherton, Alfie Rogers, with Mario Ilich at CDM, Cam Howieson and Reid Drake operating in front of him, then Dylan Manickum and Joe Lee outside Ryan De Vries up top.

Plus they had a typically stacked bench, including none other than Emiliano Tade whose had a few glorious Chatham Cup outings in his time – including a Jack Batty Memorial Cup way back in 2012. Mario Ilich also has one of those btw, from 2017. Both with Central United although they lost that second final on penalties to Onehunga Sports. The man who missed the decisive spot kick was... current ACFC head coach Albert Riera.

Eastern Suburbs picked a back three of Kelvin Kalua, Stephen Hoyle, and Aaryan Raj. Calvin Opperman played left wing back with Jackson Jarvie on the right. Tyler Lissette and Jirayu Twigg operated in the middle with Michael Built and Adam Thurston supporting Jake Mechell up front. Joseph Knowles was in goal – the second 17 year old to start a cup final this day after Feinberg-Danieli in the women’s game. Knowles, Raj, and Jarvie were all selected in the NZ U19s squad for the Oceania champs but were allowed to delay their arrival so as to play in this game. Which is cool for them... and also gives you an idea of what was meant by Eastern Suburbs blooding youngsters in their line-up. Three teenagers amongst the starters.

Figuring out a way to stop Auckland City is a puzzle that stumps most teams. For Suburbs, there was a clear intent to press high but when City moved through their initial wave they dropped deeper in cover. Little ambushes from out of a structured base. There was one moment when an underhit back pass had ACFC fans breathing through their teeth but Conor Tracey got out to deal with it. Otherwise it was patient work from City moving the ball around and ensuring they didn’t fall into any traps.

Joe Lee was their best initial outlet up front. A couple times he was able to beat a man or get onto his left foot... but didn’t manage to do much from there. Adam Thurston smacked a shot on target down the other end with a first-time attempt. Honestly though... the first half was pretty boring. The only trap City fell into was their own trap of being too slow and deliberate in shifting the ball. The one major instance of note was a slick Ilich pass over the top to Rogers whose shot was saved. Without wanting to take any risks, ACFC allowed Suburbs to keep them in front of their defensive line and get through to the break unscathed.

Thankfully there was more intent from the Navy Blues in the second stanza. Better tempo in their passing and it’s crazy how much more of the field opens up. Suburbs still seemed capable of holding them out... but then after 56 minutes came a rare moment where it all clicked for City as Cam Howieson picked up the ball down the left (with a stunning first touch) and backheeled it to Dylan Manickum. That fella circled back towards the centre where he unleashed one off his right boot and it nestled inside the bottom near post. In all honestly Joe Knowles should have saved it. Seemed like he saw it alright but the bounce just in front of him caused it to sneak past his grasp. So it goes.

City ramped it up in search of a second. Vale fired over the top after Lee had gotten to the line. All the while those central defenders of Mitchell and Brotherton – both full All Whites internationals as recently as the Fritz Schmid days – were largely untroubled. Adam Thurston, the English forward who on his day is as good as anyone in the country, was kept extremely quiet with little to work off. Eastern Suburbs were being suppressed. But that began to change in the last fifteen minutes.

No doubt plenty of National League clubs will be taking notice of the fact that when Suburbs did get things going, it was almost exclusively from set pieces. Corner kicks and the long throws of Tyler Lissette. Hoyle nearly pounced off one of the latter. Twigg blasted an attempt way over the bar. Then on 78’ we had one of the defining moments of the match when Hoyle put a deep corner back into the danger zone where sub Jaiden van der Heijden missed it entirely six yards out but Kalua got a strike going which was blocked by Brotherton then Mechell struck the follow-up only sub Gerrard Garriga Gibert got in the way of that as well. Later, Thurston drew a foul on the edge of the area only to send his shot off target. Hoyle also blasted over after a corner kick. You can’t say there weren’t chances.

For some reason Auckland City waited until the 85th minute to bring on Emiliano Tade and by then they were mostly trying to stay solid at the back. Won’t know if an earlier cameo from the Argentine would have altered things. Not that Albert Riera’s boys will care because they came through those set piece scares to win the thing 1-0. A treble for Auckland City with a quadruple still possible. Dylan Manickum won the Jack Batty Memorial on the back of his winning goal. Hard to single anyone out in a game as cagey as that one mostly was although Cam Howieson and Sam Brotherton would also have been in the conversation.

ES captain Michael Built said afterwards that despite the result he felt his boys couldn’t have possible given more than they did and you know what? Hard to argue with that. Auckland City have dismantled most teams they’ve come up against recently and Suburbs not only held their own but they genuinely had them on the back foot there in phases towards the end. Needed someone to get a shot on target and maybe it would have been a different story. Then again, maybe if they’d gone to extras at 1-1 then Emiliano Tade might have cut loose. Angus Kilkolly came on late too. City had depth in numbers that might have relished another half hour.

That’s how it goes against Auckland City: you can play well and still get dropped. Bottom line is that Auckland City get to add another trophy to their exhaustive honours list. It’s a shame they aren’t still undefeated as that would have been an incredible storyline to carry into the National League. Regardless, all nine other teams in that competition will be fired up for ways to stop them making it a four-trophy annum. They’re the strongest club in the country. Champions of the Northern League, the OFC Champions League, and the Chatham Cup. The team that everybody wants to beat. And that’s probably just the way they like it.

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