The second round of the Men's National League Championship kicks off tomorrow at 2:00pm with the match between Birkenhead United and Western Suburbs at Shepherds Park.

This weekend, three matches will take place on Saturday and two on Sunday. Here’s how each team is preparing for the second round:

Birkenhead United vs Western Suburbs

Both teams are looking to bounce back from defeats in their opening matches and escape the bottom of the table.

Birkenhead United's loss in their debut was somewhat expected. Paul Hobson's side started their campaign away against one of the title contenders, Auckland City FC. At times, they matched the Navy Blues physically and even had a chance to equalise with a penalty, but they were unable to convert and ultimately fell 3-1. However, they are viewed as favourites in their upcoming match against Western Suburbs at Shepherds Park. Despite the disappointing result last week, Birkenhead remains a physically strong team with a wealth of young talent and will undoubtedly be in contention as the season progresses.

In contrast, Western Suburbs faced a much harsher defeat in round one. Alan Koch’s side debuted at home, hopeful for a strong start after finishing second in the Central League. However, they were overwhelmed by Cashmere Technical, who handed them a 0-4 loss. The team will be eager to turn things around in the second round, but they will face one of the strongest teams in the northern region. It will be a significant test for Alan Koch’s squad, who will need to secure at least a point to avoid falling further behind in the standings.

Western Springs vs Coastal Spirit

This match will take place on Saturday at 3:00pm at Seddon Fields. The home side comes into the match following a tough 4-0 defeat against Napier City Rovers. Scott Hales’ team, who finished second in the Northern League, had high hopes for their league debut, but they were outmatched by a strong Napier side that dominated from start to finish. Western Springs generally play with an attacking style of football and has some very quick players in attack, but they often struggle when trying to build play from the back.

On the other hand, Coastal Spirit arrives with a very different mindset. Although they didn’t secure a win in their home debut, they started with a 0-0 draw against last year’s National League champions and 2024 Chatham Cup champions. This result was significant not just because of the caliber of the opponent—especially after losing 5-0 to Wellington Olympic in their last encounter—but also because it served as an important test for Robbie Stanton’s squad. Earlier this year, they faced two teams from outside the South Island and struggled in both matches. They managed to win one on penalties against Hibiscus Coast but were heavily beaten by the Greeks in the other. Their visit to Western Springs will be another crucial test, with key attacking players like Alejandro Steinwascher (the team's top scorer in the regional phase) and David Yoo, who has been in great form earlier this year with Christchurch United.

Wellington Olympic vs Auckland City FC

This will undoubtedly be the match of the round. These two teams have been the strongest in the country in recent years, and just a few weeks ago, they faced off in the Chatham Cup final, where the Greeks triumphed on penalties. Despite not starting with a win against Coastal Spirit, the capital side remains one of the favourites to clinch the league title. That last match could be seen as an anomaly for their usual standards. They are typically known for scoring multiple goals per game due to their offensive firepower, although they often concede at least one goal as well. They boast the striking prowess of Hamish Watson, along with attacking midfielders like Gianni Bouzoukis and Edward Wilkinson, who frequently find the back of the net.

On the other side is none other than Auckland City FC. Albert Riera’s team, fresh off a significant training stint during the Intercontinental Cup 2024, kicked off the first round with a commanding win. While they made some defensive errors in their opening match against Birkenhead United that could have cost them, they were generally superior throughout the game. Stipe Ukich scored again, proving he’s capable of great things. Another standout performer was Ryan De Vries, who consistently made smart decisions on the pitch. The Navy Blues know this is an important match, as a win would leave Wellington Olympic with just one point from six.

Eastern Suburbs vs Napier City Rovers

This promises to be another exciting match, taking place on Sunday at 2:00pm at Madills Farm. Both teams had impressive seasons in their respective leagues and started the National League Championship in strong fashion.

Eastern Suburbs comes off a solid 2-0 away victory against Wellington Phoenix Reserves. The match was fairly even at times, with not many clear-cut chances, but Thomas Golding and Dejaun Naidoo found the back of the net late in the game to secure the win.

On the other hand, Napier City Rovers made a statement at home with a commanding 4-0 win over Western Springs. Under Bill Robertson's guidance, they quickly took control of the match with a stunning goal from Oscar Faulds, followed by strikes from Kieran Richards and two from Adam Hewson.

This clash will feature two of the league’s top scorers and key players: Jake Mechell for Eastern Suburbs and Oscar Faulds for Napier City Rovers. The battle between these goal-scoring talents is sure to be intriguing, and the winner could find themselves at the top of the table.

Cashmere Technical vs Wellington Phoenix Reserves

Cashmere Technical arrives at this match following an impressive 4-0 victory against Western Suburbs away from home. The Christchurch-based team has shown they can score consistently at the national level and will host Wellington Phoenix Reserves on Sunday at 2:00pm at English Park. Dan Schwarz’s side features Garbhan Coughlan, who is always a threat for any defense.

Chris Greenacre’s team was unable to earn points in their opening match, but they have several promising players like Corban Piper, Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, and Lachlan Candy, who could spoil Cashmere Technical’s perfect start to the tournament.

Don’t miss any action from the National League Championship. Watch all matches live and for free on FIFA+.

Article added: Friday 04 October 2024