Tonight, the first two matches of Round Two are taking place, and here’s a recap of how each team is arriving:

Wellington Phoenix Reserves vs Waterside Karori

The first match of the second round kicks off today at 7:00pm, as Wellington Phoenix Reserves host CF-Waterside Karori at Fraser Park. The home team, coming off a disappointing 1-4 loss to Canterbury United Pride in their opening match, will be eager to assert themselves on home turf and put last weekend's defeat behind them.

On the other hand, CF-Waterside Karori arrives with a slightly different outlook. While they couldn't secure a win in their debut last weekend, they managed to earn a 1-1 draw against the current champions, Auckland United, demonstrating solid performance and creating several chances to score.

The last time these teams met in an official match was during the quarterfinals of the Kate Sheppard Cup, where Wellington Phoenix Reserves won 3-2.

West Coast Rangers vs Western Springs

The second match of the round kicks off tonight at 7:30pm at Fred Taylor Park. Under the guidance of Andy Dunn, West Coast Rangers started the league with a resounding 5-0 victory over Central Football in their opening match. The team has demonstrated they are maintaining the high level of performance showcased in the NRFL Women Premiership. Currently sitting at the top of the table thanks to their goal difference, a win tonight would give them a perfect six points from six.

On the other hand, Western Springs come into this match following a narrow 3-2 defeat to Wellington United. Despite showing flashes of good football in their opening game, they failed to capitalise on their home advantage and ended up with no points. For Maia Vink's side, who recently reached the final of the Kate Sheppard Cup, avoiding another loss is crucial if they hope to contend for the final, especially in a league that spans only nine rounds.

Southern United vs Central Football

Southern United will play their first home match tomorrow at 12:30pm at Logan Park. In their opening game, they secured an important point with a 0-0 draw against Eastern Suburbs at Medills Farm. Aiming to replicate last year's success—where they reached the tournament final against Auckland United—this match presents a strong opportunity for Southern United to claim their first victory, establish dominance at home, and position themselves among the top teams in the table.

Central Football, on the other hand, faces a different reality. Coach Jamie Duning leads a very young squad that suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to West Coast Rangers in their opening match. Although they enter this game as underdogs, it will be intriguing to see how they bounce back from that loss, especially against one of last year’s National League Championship finalists.

Wellington United vs Canterbury United Pride

This promises to be one of the most intriguing matches of the round. Guillermo Schiltenwolf’s team comes off a crucial 3-2 victory as visitors against Western Springs and will arrive with confidence for their second match. Key players include the speed of Natalie Olson and the skill of Libby Boobyer, both playing at a great level in the first game. The match, scheduled for tomorrow at 2:00pm at Newtown Park, is going to be important for them, as it will be their first home game. A win would not only maintain their perfect record but also put them in a strong position against a rival that also started the season with a victory.

On the flip side, Canterbury United Pride had one of the most powerful starts to the league. Despite initially falling behind at home to Wellington Phoenix Reserves in the opening minutes, they managed to recover and secured a commanding 4-1 win with a great performance. In the first match, Shane Verma praised Kate Loye’s outstanding play, and the team boasts several attacking threats, including Nikola Dominikivich (last season’s top scorer for the team), Bo Burton, and Ana McPhie, who, despite starting on the bench, came on to score a stunning free-kick in the second half.

Auckland United vs Eastern Suburbs

In the final match of the round, Auckland United will face Eastern Suburbs tomorrow at 5:00pm at Keith Hay Park. Led by Ben Bate, Auckland United began the tournament with a 1-1 draw and will be looking to secure their first home victory against a familiar opponent. This year, they have faced Eastern Suburbs three times in the NRFL Women Premiership, with one draw (2-2) and two wins (6-1 and 1-0) in their favor. Although they didn’t achieve a win in their opening game, Auckland United—who extended their unbeaten streak in 2024 to 32 matches last weekend—are strong contenders to claim all three points.

Eastern Suburbs, on the other hand, also come into this match with a point after a 0-0 draw against Southern United last weekend. Under the guidance of Katie Duncan, they may not be the favourites to win tomorrow, but they are a team that can pose challenges to any opponent, as demonstrated in their previous encounters with Auckland United earlier this year. While they suffered a heavy loss in one match, the two games played at Keith Hay Park ended with narrow results (a 2-2 draw and a 0-1 loss). This match promises to be a tough battle for both teams and an exciting spectacle for neutral fans.

If you can’t make it to the stadium to support your team, remember you can watch all the matches live and for free on FIFA+.

Article added: Friday 04 October 2024