Waitakere United have had their best year on record and have reached their second successive OFC O-League final.
Now seen as the heavyweights of New Zealand Football the 2007/08 NZFC Minor Championship winners have dominated nearly every match they have played this year.
Their season thus far has seen them win 19 out of their 25 matches (NZFC and OLeague) while only losing two.
With 56 goals in all competitions the Waitakere strike force is one of the most potent that the NZFC has ever seen. The attacking trio of Benjamin Totori (11), Commins Menapi (9) and Allen Pearce (12) have combined for 32 goals on the season and their mixture of size, speed and strength has unlocked every side they have faced.
But many would argue that it is Waitakere’s defence which has been their strength this season and a campaign which has only conceding 17 goals shows that Coach Chris Milicich has got it right with his defensive strategy.
The back four of Danny Hay, Jonathan Perry, Darren Bazely and Neil Emblem have formed a formidable defensive unit based on size, experience and a defensive reading of the game not often seen at this level.
Waitakere will be looking to earn their second successive appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan – which would be a first for a club in OFC.
Date Home Team Away Team Venue Result
31.10.07 Waitakere United AS Manu Ura Fred Taylor Park (NZL) 2-1
16.2.08 AS Manu Ura Waitakere United Stade Paea (TAH) 1-1
20.2.08 Auckland City Waitakere United Croatian Club (NZL) 0-1
2.10.08 Waitakere United Auckland City Douglas Field(NZL) 1-1