The third round of the Women’s National League Championship kicks off tonight, and here’s how each match is shaping up:

CF Wellington United vs Wellington Phoenix Reserves:

This will be the only match on Friday, kicking off at 7:00 PM at Newtown Park. The home side, CF Wellington United, has accumulated four points so far, from a victory against Western Springs in their opening match and a draw with Canterbury United Pride. Coached by Guillermo Schiltenwolf, they enter this game as strong contenders, playing at home against a very young Wellington Phoenix team. A win tonight would solidify their position among the top teams in the league.

In contrast, Wellington Phoenix is facing a tougher reality. Under the management of Callum Holmes, the team features a predominantly young roster with many away at the Under-17 World Cup. They come into this match after two consecutive losses, 1-4 and 0-5, and tonight will face a challenging opponent in their quest for a spot in the final.

Central Football vs Auckland United:

This match will take place tomorrow, Saturday, at 11:00 AM at Massey University. Central Football, like many teams in the league, boasts a young squad, which was evident in their opening match against West Coast Rangers. Although Jamie Dunning’s side arrives with a bit more rest—thanks to last week’s match being postponed—they will need to tighten their defence to compete against one of the league's strongest teams, Auckland United.

Managed by Ben Bate, Auckland United aims to defend the title they won last year. They secured a victory in their second match, that positioned them among the top teams in the league. Keep an eye on Charlotte Roche, who scored her first goal last week and is keen to establish herself among the tournament's top scorers.

Canterbury United Pride vs West Coast Rangers:

This match will take place on Saturday at 12:00 PM in English Park and is undoubtedly one of must-see matches of the week. Both teams have started the season strong, and the winner will gain a significant morale boost heading into upcoming matches. Shane Verma's side will need to leverage their home advantage to secure a victory. Watch for Anna McPhie, number 16, who has scored two stunning free kicks so far—one in each match played.

Currently, West Coast Rangers are the highest-scoring team in the tournament with eight goals. However, last weekend they struggled with set pieces, conceding two goals from corners and were held to a last-minute equaliser in a match they seemed to have under control. While Andy Dunn’s team has shown strong form throughout the year, they will need to focus on closing out games to avoid dropping points, bearing in mind the National League is only short.

Western Springs vs Southern United:

This match is set for Saturday at 3:00 PM at Seddon Fields. Maia Vink's team, Western Springs, is still seeking their first win. They will undoubtedly aim to secure all three points at home. A loss could severely hinder their chances of reaching the final, with many teams ahead of them and just six matches left to play. Rina Hirano has been a standout player, scoring two remarkable long-range goals so far this season.

Southern United has played only one match, ending in a 0-0 draw against Eastern Suburbs. The finalists from last year had their second match cancelled due to weather conditions and will look to bounce back against one of the league’s more vulnerable defences, having conceded six goals in their first two matches.

Eastern Suburbs vs CF Waterside Karori:

The final match of the round will take place on Sunday at 2:00 PM at Madills Farm. Under the guidance of Katie Duncan, Eastern Suburbs have had a challenging start, facing last year’s finalists in their first two matches. This weekend’s game is crucial to avoid falling behind in the standings. Although they created chances, they have yet to score, an area they must improve in if they hope to compete for the final.

CF Waterside Karori has been one of the league’s standout teams thus far. Managed by Tory Schiltgen, they drew with Auckland United in their opener and followed up with a commanding 5-0 victory over Wellington Phoenix Reserves, placing them on top of the table due to goal difference. Watch for Kendall Pollock, the tournament’s current top scorer with three goals.

All matches will be broadcast live and free on FIFA+.

Article added: Friday 11 October 2024