Tomorrow marks the start of the 2024 edition of the National League Championship and below we take a look at the teams that have qualified for this season.

There will be only one new team in the 2024 edition of the women's competition compared to last year’s qualifiers. That team is West Coast Rangers, who finished second in the Lotto NRFL Premiership and earned a spot in the national tournament. West Coast Ranges now replace Ellerslie AFC, who this year failed to secure a top-four finish in their league.

Auckland United:

When it comes to contenders for the 2024 title, Auckland United is a strong favourite. Managed by Ben Bate, the team is not only the reigning Women’s National League champion but has also clinched three titles this year (OFC Champions League, Women’s NRFL Premiership, and the Kate Sheppard Cup) and has gone unbeaten throughout the season. Auckland United played 31 official matches this year, drawing just four (two in the OFC Champions League and two in the NRFL Premiership) and winning the other 27.

Despite having many young players, the squad boasts significant experience in high-stakes matches. Most of the current team members were part of last year’s championship-winning squad and have played together to secure important victories this season. While they have several players who can step up in crucial moments, captain Talisha Green is a standout personality, always giving her all on the field so her forwards can focus on scoring. Another key player is Rene Wasi, a forward who will undoubtedly be one to watch throughout the league, known for her speed and goal-scoring ability. Although we could mention individually nearly all of the players on the team, we cannot overlook Charlotte Roche. The 19-year-old forward was the team’s top scorer in the NRFL Premiership with 14 goals and scored a stunning goal in the Kate Sheppard final, leading her team to a 1-0 victory against Western Springs and securing the championship. Given the team's current form and style of play, they will surely be the team to beat.

West Coast Rangers:

Although the team, currently managed by Andy Dun, did not qualify for last year’s championship edition, they arrive at the current tournament as a strong contender for a spot in the grand final. It’s true they didn’t advance far in the Kate Sheppard Cup, losing to Auckland United 5-1 in the third round, however they were very consistent in the Women’s NRFL Premiership, where they finished in second place and scored 65 goals throughout the season (the same number as Auckland United). One player to watch from the team is Shannon Henson, who netted an impressive 16 goals in the NRFL Premiership.

Eastern Suburbs:

The team, led by Katie Duncan, returns to the National League Championship. Although they finished third in the Northern League standings, they had to wait until the final matchday to secure their qualification. Just a few games before the end of the NRFL Premiership, the ‘Lilywhites’ were in a tight battle with Fencibles United for a spot in the National League Championship. The two teams faced off in round 17 and Eastern Suburbs showcased their character by winning the match 3-0. From that point on, Fencibles struggled to accumulate points while Eastern Suburbs continued to secure vital wins. This is a team with strong character, having demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure. Kenya Brooke and Zoe Benson are key players, but perhaps the most crucial is Sofia Garcia, who was the team’s top scorer with 11 goals in the regional league and won the Kate Sheppard Cup last year with Western Springs.

Western Springs:

We shouldn’t be misled by this team’s fourth-place finish in the regional league. Maia Vink’s team is very strong and knows how to handle important matches. For example, the team were crowned champions of the Kate Sheppard Cup last year and reached the final again this year, making them a competitive team with a constant ambition to win. They have also proven to be a tough opponent for Auckland United, who, while beating them in all their encounters this year, only won by 1-0 each time, highlighting Vink’s team’s defensive solidity. Megan Lee, who was injured in the Kate Sheppard Cup final, was the team’s top scorer this year. However, while they haven’t had a forward surpassing 10 goals in their league, they possess fast players like Rina Hirano and Maia Lythe, who can always find the back of the net.

CF- Wellington United:

 Under the guidance of Guillermo Schiltenwolf, the team arrives as the champions of the Women’s Central League and they went unbeaten in that tournament, winning 12 of 14 matches and drawing two. The only downside for the Diamonds this year was their performance in the Kate Sheppard Cup, where they faced a bit of bad luck in the draw, coming up against Wellington Phoenix Reserves in their opening match and losing 3-0. Wellington United is accustomed to reaching decisive stages and will be one of the contenders vying for a spot in the final, aiming to improve on last year’s sixth-place finish in the overall standings. Natalie Olson, with 10 goals, was one of the standout players of the season.

CF- Waterside Karori:

Although they have yet to win the Women’s Central League title, the team managed by Tory Schiltgen has had a solid season so far. In their regional league, they only lost one match throughout the tournament and finished just a point behind Wellington United. They also made it to the quarterfinals of the Kate Sheppard Cup, where they lost 3-2 to Wellington Phoenix Reserves. The team boasts Nikki Furukawa, who was the tournament's top scorer in the Women’s Central League with 12 goals.

Wellington Phoenix Reserves:

Under the management of Callum Holmes, this team clearly has the potential to improve on last season's performance, where they finished in eighth place. While they are a very young squad and do not compete in the Women’s Central League, they showed their seriousness in the Kate Sheppard Cup by defeating two of the strongest teams in the central region with relative ease. In the first round, they triumphed over Wellington United with a 3-0 victory, and in the quarter-finals, they edged out Waterside Karori 3-2. Although that scoreline appears close, they led 3-0 until just minutes before the end. Another key match showcasing Wellington Phoenix's level was the semi-final against Auckland United. Phoenix started winning the match, and when it seemed they were on their way to victory and a spot in the final, Auckland United scored two goals in quick succession in the final minutes to turn the game around.

Without a doubt, this is a young team with significant talent, but they need to improve their ability to close out matches and avoid conceding late goals, as they did in the Kate Sheppard Cup. Among the many young talents at Wellington Phoenix, keep an eye on Alyssha Eglinton; the midfielder demonstrated her capability to contribute goals for the team during the tournament. Other key player could be Ela Jerez, but some players may be promoted to the first team every now and then.

Central Football:

Under the management of Jamie Dunning, this team will be eager to improve on their performance from last year. In the 2023 edition, Central Football finished in ninth place, just above Ellerslie AFC, who did not qualify this year. They come into the tournament with a mix of players from different teams in the Central League, primarily from Metalworks Taradale AFC and Palmerston Marist.

One area that needs improvement is their defense, as they were the team that conceded the most goals in the 2023 edition. However, in attack, they will feature Kya Solomon and Maddison Hughes, who played together in the Central League during the first half of the year and scored a combined 14 goals for Metalworks Taradale. Without a doubt, they will be a key duo for Central Football as they aim to collect points.

Southern United:

Under the leadership of Kris Ridley, they are serious contenders to secure another spot in the National League Championship final. In 2023, they made it to the final for the first time, where they lost 2-0 to Auckland United. Last season, they fought hard for the title, losing only one match in the league to qualify for the final. They were one of the highest-scoring teams in the tournament, and remarkably, they conceded the fewest goals before reaching the final, allowing only six.

They continue to retain key players from last season, and their experience from reaching the final certainly positions them as strong candidates. Some players to watch for Southern United include their captain Rose Morton, defender Hannah Mackay-Wright, and Amy Hislop, who was the team’s top scorer last year with seven goals.

Canterbury United Pride:

Under the guidance of Shane Verma, they are looking to improve on their seventh-place finish from last year, where they accumulated seven points from two wins, one draw, and six losses. A key player for the team will be Lara Wall. The defender recently scored an impressive seven goals for Cashmere Technical in the 2024 Women’s South Island League.

Other crucial players for the team's performance will be midfielders Anna McPhie and Margarida Dias. Together, they scored 17 goals for Cashmere Technical in the first half of the year, showcasing their goal-scoring ability, which could help them gain valuable points in the standings.

Watch all the matches live and free on FIFA+.

Women’s National League Championship Round 1:

Central Football vs West Coast Rangers (28 Sep, 12:00pm, Massey University)

Canterbury United Pride vs Wellington Phoenix Reserves ( 28 Sep, 12:00pm, English Park)

Western Springs vs CF- Wellington United (28 Sep, 1:30pm, Seddon Fields)

CF- Waterside Karori vs Auckland United (28 Sep, 2:00pm, Martin Luckie Park)

Eastern Suburbs vs Southern United (29 Sep, 2:00pm, Madills Farm).

Article added: Friday 27 September 2024