Ryan De Vries fired the defending champions into the lead after just four minutes but Canterbury replied swiftly with Aaron Clapham guiding a Daniel Glozier cross past Danny Robinson only four minutes later.
In a match coloured by a total of 12 cards, Ross McKenzie and Matt Cunneen were dismissed for second cautions to leave the home side with an uphill battle for most of the second half.
Canterbury finally capitalised through golden boot leader George Slefendorfas, who poked home Ken Yamamoto’s cross in the 76th minute.
With minor premiers Auckland City already assured of one of New Zealand’s two spots in champions league football, Canterbury will claim the second unless fellow semi-finalists Waitakere or Team Wellington – all but confirmed in third and fourth place respectively after today’s results – go on to win the Grand Final on April 29.
Although the shape of the final four is pencilled in, there are records to play for in the final round of league action on April 8. Auckland, 3-1 winners over Otago United in Dunedin, could become the first team to go through the regular season unbeaten, while YoungHeart Manawatu, dispatched 6-0 at home by Wellington, are desperate to avoid becoming the first team to finish a season without a win.
Waitakere, who host Manawatu in that final round robin match, need a victory to confirm third place and avoid a semi-final match up on April 15 and 22 against Auckland.
Hawke’s Bay United were the team outside the top four that could have forced their way into the play-offs and, even though an injury-time winner from Dale Higham sealed a 3-2 comeback win over Waikato FC in Napier, Wellington’s win made the result academic.
Waikato’s Mohamed Awad cancelled out Danny Wilson’s opener and Tyler Boyd put the visitors ahead at halftime but Sam Margetts set up the grandstand finish with a 77th-minute equaliser.
Wellington had a far easier time in Palmerston North as Henry Fa’arodo, Luke Rowe, Dakota Lucas, Patrick Fleming, Louis Fenton and Dominic Rowe shared the goals to continue Manawatu’s horror season.
Further south, Auckland were in control, leading 3-0 early in the second half thanks to first-half strikes to Luis Corrales and Manel Exposito and a header from Angel Berlanga after the break. Otago’s James Govan grabbed a 67th-minute consolation for the home side.
The ASB Premiership takes a break for the Oceania Men’s Olympic Qualifier next weekend, although there is a White Ribbon Cup match between Manawatu and Waikato on March 17 and the final round of O-League football is scheduled for March 31.
The ASB Premiership resumes on April 8 with Canterbury hosting Auckland, Waitakere entertaining Manawatu and Wellington at home to Hawke’s Bay. Waikato’s clash with Otago has been brought forward to March 25.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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