Defending champions Wellington Olympic face arch-rivals Auckland City this weekend, in a repeat of last year’s Men’s National League grand final.
Olympic dropped two valuable points in their season opener, drawing 0-0 with league newcomers Coastal Spirit.
Auckland City had a relatively comfortable 3-1 win against local rivals Birkenhead United, despite having travelled to and from Abu Dhabi in the previous week for their FIFA Intercontinental Cup clash with Asian club champions Al Ain.
A loss would leave Olympic on one point from a possible six — hardly encouraging in a nine-round competition.
But Olympic have shown they can handle pressure, as they showed in last year’s grand final win against City, and again in this season’s Chatham Cup final against the same opponents.
Clearly, it’s the game of the round.
First-round winners Cashmere Technical have every chance to make it two wins from as many games as they host first-round losers Wellington Phoenix Reserves.
Eastern Suburbs and Napier City Rovers meet at Madills Farm, both backing up after first-round wins.
Suburbs will have a new line-up in their dugout with the midweek announcement that head coach Kane Wintersgill has left the club for an overseas opportunity in professional football.
READ MORE: Eastern Suburbs coach Kane Wintersgill leaves club for overseas opportunity >>>>
Birkenhead United host Western Suburbs, with both clubs seeking their first point.
After their loss to Auckland City, Birkenhead United coach Paul Hobson was blunt in his summary of the 3-1 loss at Kiwitea St.
“I thought we were really poor today,” he said. “We deserved to get beaten. I can’t think of any positives from that game.”
Hobson said he and his players would pick themselves up and start again.
Players to watch
With his flashy feet and energetic qualities, Auckland City’s Jerson Lagos (22) has caught the eye since joining the Navy Blues from Manurewa earlier in the season.
A familiar face for Melville United fans during his five years at the club, the Colombian scored a stunning Olimpico in Auckland City’s Intercontinental Cup match two weeks ago, and again impressed against Birkenhead in their National League opener, despite not scoring.
Watch out for the right winger when City face Olympic in Saturday’s Grand Final rematch blockbuster.
— Harrison Ryburn
Daniel Bunch has joined North Shore club Birkenhead United from Fencibles United for the 2024 National League Campaign.
After a disappointing loss last week to Auckland City, Birkenhead will need the three against Western Suburbs to get their campaign back on track.
I predict the experienced Birkenhead striker will be on the scoresheet in a Birkenhead win on Saturday at Shepherds Park.
— Henry Lee
Bold predictions
While the National League Championship couldn’t have started worse for Western Springs with a 4-0 drubbing at Napier City Rovers, they’ll fancy this Saturday’s home game against Coastal Spirit as a chance to get back on track.
The Spirit did well to fight out a 0-0 draw with powerhouse Wellington Olympic, but will face their longest away trip this weekend.
This could be an entertaining fixture — I’ll pick a 2-2 draw.
— Logan Smith
Western Springs were disappointing in their National League debut last week, suffering a humiliating 0-4 defeat away to Napier City Rovers, their first loss inside 90 minutes since late June.
With so much experience and quality in their squad, they’re too good to rest on their laurels for long, and I’m backing a response against Coastal Spirit.
The Southern League side held Olympic to a draw last weekend, and will be no pushovers, but I’m picking a 2-1 win for Springs at home on Seddon Fields.
— Harrison Ryburn
Want a game with goals? I’m picking Birkenhead United’s match against Western Suburbs has the potential to provide them. With no points to show from the opening round, neither side can afford back-to-back losses.
The match has a cup tie quality about it, and both sides have players capable of hitting the net. I’ll tip six goals … but the result could go either way.
— Jack Sharp
Highlights from Round 1
Fixtures
Games to be played on Saturday October 5, 2024
Birkenhead United v Western Suburbs
Shepherds Park, Birkenhead, 2pm
Western Springs v Coastal Spirit
Seddon Fields, Westmere, 2pm
Wellington Olympic v Auckland City
Martin Luckie Park, Berhampore, 3pm
Games to be played on Sunday October 6, 2024
Cashmere Technical v Wellington Phoenix Reserves
English Park, Christchurch, 2pm
Eastern Suburbs v Napier City Rovers
Madills Farm, St Heliers, 2pm
Harrison Ryburn
Harrison Ryburn is a Canterbury-based football writer.
Logan Smith
Logan Smith is a passionate football fan and volunteer, based in Dunedin, covering the Southern League.
Jack Sharp
Jack Sharp is a long-time follower of club football in New Zealand and is a volunteer writer for Friends of Football.
Henry Lee
Henry Lee is an Auckland-based journalism student who co-presents the Sideline Yarns podcast.
This story was first published on October 2, 2024.
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