Coastal Spirit went to the wire against Waterside Karori, finishing fulltime and extra time level at 1-1 before edging the Wellingtonians 5-4 in a penalty shootout to qualify for their first ever national cup final.
Glenfield reached the final for the second time in their history with a fiercely-contested 4-1 away win over Auckland rivals Eastern Suburbs.
The final originally scheduled as a double header with the final of the ASB Chatham Cup – which is now being played in Palmerston North – may be delayed a week to allow the match to be hosted in Auckland or Christchurch. New Zealand Football will make a decision on the date on Monday.
At Christchurch’s Linfield Park on Saturday, Monique Barker gave the home side the lead with a scrambled effort from close range as the first half drew to an end.
Barker could have put Spirit further into the lead but missed a brace of chances early in the second half which allowed Karori to draw level when a Renee Leota shot was eventually poked in by Terri-Amber Carlson in the 59th minute.
Neither side could find a winner in extra time and eight spot kicks apiece were needed in the penalty shootout with Coastal Spirit goalkeeper Lily Alfeld saving three to help her side to a 5-4 shootout victory.
In Auckland on Sunday, Eastern Suburbs and Glenfield Rovers played out a tense semi-final with Katie Rood breaking the deadlock for Rovers in the 20th minute.
Teammate Katie Bowen powered a header past Erin Naylor 12 minutes later to double the lead for the North Shore club, who survived a scare in the third minute when Suburbs’ Grace Vincent was denied by the crossbar.
The home side eventually cut the lead when Rebecca Tegg burst inside her defender and blasted a shot past Lilly Ran but Glenfield’s place in the final was made safe by late goals to substitute Hannah Wilkinson and Stephanie Skilton.
ASB Women’s Knockout Cup semi-finals
Saturday 20 August
Linfield Park, Christchurch
Coastal Spirit 1 (Monique BARKER 45+1’)
Waterside Karori 1 (Terri-Amber CARLSON 59’)
After extra time, 1-1 FT, 1-0 HT
Coastal Spirit win 5-4 on penalties
Sunday 21 August
Madills Farm, Auckland
Eastern Suburbs 1 (Rebecca TEGG 61’)
Glenfield Rovers 4 (Katie ROOD 21’, Katie BOWEN 32’, Hannah WILKINSON 85’, Stephanie SKILTON 90+3’)
Halftime 0-2
Final
Coastal Spirit v Glenfield Rovers
August 27/28 or September 3/4
Venue TBC
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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