NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – CRUNCH TIME FOR PLAYOFF HOPEFULS

Auckland (22 points, +7 goal difference) need just a point against Canterbury to secure a top four spot, but confirming second spot with a win would also give them one hand on New Zealand’s second O-League spot. Canterbury United (8pts -16) may be sitting at the bottom of the table but Korouch Monsef’s young squad already have a win over Auckland this season and have shown an ability to match the best teams in the league so a home win is far from guaranteed.

YoungHeart Manawatu (22 pts, +3) can also nail down their playoff berth with a point, but a visit from the Waitakere United juggernaut only raises the degree-of-difficulty. The fact that Waitakere will back up from a Friday night friendly against the Kuwait national team may just balance the ledger, but Manawatu are walking a tightrope between second and fifth.

Fourth placed Team Wellington (20 pts -3) have made a well-timed late run into the top-four and another home win would not only extend their season into mid-March but could also see them move up to third, thus avoiding Waitakere in the semi-finals. They face a ‘quarterfinal’ against Waikato (19 pts, 0) who must win and have either the Hawke’s Bay or Manawatu result go their way to climb into the top half.

Hawke’s Bay United (19 pts, +5) are within touching distance of a club-first playoff appearance, but it’s not entirely in their own hands when Otago United (8 pts, -14) come to town. An earlier 1pm kick-off (all other fixtures kick-off at 2pm) means even if Hawke’s Bay win at Park Island to complete their part of the mission, thoughts will quickly turn to Newtown Park, Kiwitea Street, and Memorial Park to see if one of the other results goes their way.

Meanwhile, a top of the table clash between Auckland City and Waitakere United at Fred Taylor Park headlines the Lion Foundation Youth League on Saturday, giving Hawke’s Bay United and Auckland-Manukau the chance to make up some ground when they meet at Riverhills on Sunday.

Note: If two or more teams are level on points at the conclusion of the NZFC regular season the following criteria will be applied until the teams can be separated and ranked:

1. Best goal difference

2. Most goals scored

3. Best head-to-head results between the tied teams

4. Best goal difference in head-to-head results between the tied teams

5. Fewest disciplinary points accrued, based on 1 point per yellow card, 3 points per red card (or two yellows).

6. toss of a coin / drawing of lots