Tomorrow kicks off a new round, and these are all the matchups for the long weekend

Central Football vs Eastern Suburbs

The action in the Women’s National League kicks off on Saturday at 11:30AM when Central Football will host Eastern Suburbs at Massey University.

Both teams approach this clash with contrasting realities. Central Football is still searching for their first points of the season, while Eastern Suburbs comes into this match full of confidence after a resounding 5-0 victory over Wellington Phoenix last weekend.

The 'Lilywhites' have had a tough start to the tournament, facing many of the league's top teams early on. They will be eager to secure their second consecutive win to build momentum as the league progresses.

Canterbury United Pride vs Auckland United

In a highly anticipated matchup, Canterbury United Pride faces Auckland United on Saturday 12:00PM at English Park. This encounter could prove crucial for both teams aspirations to earn a spot in the final. Currently, both teams sit with 10 points, neither side has tasted defeat so far this season and both come off hard-fought victories last weekend. Auckland United edged past Western Springs 1-0 in a dramatic last-minute win, while Canterbury United triumphed over Southern United 2-1 after coming from behind.

This match will serve as a significant test for the South Island side who will look to leverage the great form of Anna McPhie and captain Nicola Dominikovich, both of whom have netted three goals each this season.

Ben Bate’s side, unbeaten in over a year, will aim to maintain their impressive run as they push for a place in yet another final.

Western Springs vs CF-Waterside Karori

At 1:00PM (Saturday), Western Springs will take on CF-Waterside Karori at Seddon Fields for matchday five.

The hosts are in need of a victory to keep their hopes of making the final alive. A negative result would leave them with just four points, potentially placing them six points adrift from the top by the end of the weekend. Maia Vink’s team has shown flashes of quality, as evidenced by their run to the Kate Sheppard Cup final, with Rina Hirano enjoying a standout season and contributing crucial goals. The combination of home advantage, the pressure to win and the current form of key players like Hirano will make it a challenging outing for the Wellington side.

On the other hand, CF-Waterside Karori sees this as a prime opportunity to advance their own title ambitions. Currently joint leaders with 10 points alongside Auckland United and Canterbury United Pride, a win would position them firmly at the top, given at least one of these teams is set to drop points in their head-to-head clash this weekend. This presents a significant motivation for the capital-based team, especially with Kendall Pollock leading the scoring charts with six goals.

CF-Wellington United vs Southern United

CF-Wellington United welcomes Southern United to Martin Luckie Park on Saturday at 3:00PM.

Despite dropping points last week, Guillermo Stinchelwolf's squad managed a valuable draw against West Coast Rangers at Fred Taylor Park. Currently sitting in fourth place, they are only two points off the top three and will need to strengthen their position at home to avoid slipping further behind.

Southern United, yet to secure a win this season, faces an important match after drawing their opening game against Eastern Suburbs and losing subsequent fixtures to Western Springs and Canterbury United Pride. Although their results do not reflect it, Southern United has shown potential in their early matches and must start turning performances into results if they hope to replicate last year's final run.

West Coast Rangers vs Wellington Phoenix Reserves

The only match on Sunday for this round features West Coast Rangers against Wellington Phoenix Reserves at 1 PM at Fred Taylor Park.

West Coast Rangers, potentially one of the strongest teams in the league, have seen points slip away in the closing minutes of matches, costing them a significant lead in the standings. Losing seven points in the dying moments of their last three games means they must secure a victory against a youthful Wellington Phoenix side if they wish to remain in contention for a final spot.

Across the pitch, Wellington Phoenix Reserves have yet to register any points this season and face an uphill battle in their quest for a their first points against the league's top scorers.

All matches live and free on FIFA+

Article added: Friday 25 October 2024