By Jack Sharp
While Auckland City set the pace, their rivals are in a mad scramble to stay in contention for this year’s Men’s National League title.
Eight clubs are separated by only two points with a third of the fixture schedule completed.
Almost certainly, results from the next two rounds will sort out the genuine challengers to reach the grand final in late November/early December.
Auckland City head to Wellington’s Western Suburbs on Sunday for what should be another win.
Former All Whites forward Myer Bevan and teenage striker Stipe Ukich have emerged as form players for City in the competition, though Bevan is clearly not near full fitness yet.
His return to New Zealand from Canadian Premier League side Cavalry could turn out to be a key signing.
READ MORE: All Whites striker Myer Bevan in Auckland City’s Intercontinental Cup squad >>>>
City are one of only two unbeaten sides (Napier City Rovers are the other), while Suburbs are the only club without a win this campaign.
Chances are City will lead the competition, with 10 points, by the end of Round 4.
But which of the chasing pack will emerge as their main rivals?
Napier City Rovers travel to Birkenhead United on Saturday for a match that will be crucial to both clubs’ title aspirations.
Rovers have started well while Birkenhead’s 1-0 loss to Auckland City has left them playing catch-up.
A win against Rovers will vault Birkenhead above the Hawkes Bay side, and re-ignite Birkenhead’s campaign.
Cashmere Technical earned an important point from their 1-1 draw at Auckland City’s Kiwitea Street last round.
They now need to back that up with a positive result when they host defending champions Wellington Olympic on Saturday.
Olympic are too good to drop out of contention this early in the season but they’ll be tested by a Cashmere attack that has had much success this year.
… one more thing
The winner of this year’s league will head to Fiji in late March/early April as New Zealand’s representative at the OFC Men’s Champions League.
OFC have confirmed Fiji as the venue for the eight-club tournament which is the gateway to the FIFA Club World Cup.
This year’s National League winner will automatically qualify for the OFC Champions League after the decision to dispense with the two-legged play-offs used for the past two seasons.
Player to watch
Coastal Spirit’s David Yoo scored the first hat-trick of the 2024 National League season, and in spectacular fashion.
His three goals came in a four-minute burst as he found the net in the 51st, 52nd and 55th minutes of Spirit’s 5-0 third-round win against Western Suburbs.
Yoo (24) joined Spirit for the National League season after his winter club, Christchurch United, failed to qualify.
He scored 10 times for United in their Southern League campaign after returning to Christchurch after playing for clubs in Portugal.
Yoo could be among the challengers for this year’s Golden Boot, and he gets the chance to add to his tally when Coastal open Round 4 with their fixture against the Wellington Phoenix on Saturday.
Bold prediction
Western Springs are 9th on the table after leaking nine goals in their three opening fixtures.
But they can get their campaign back on track if they beat local rivals Eastern Suburbs on Sunday.
First priority for Springs will be shutting down Suburbs’ main goal threat, Jake Mechell.
If they do that, three points could well lift Springs into the top half of the table.
I’ll tip a 2-1 win for Springs.
Golden Boot
3 — Adam Hewson (Napier City Rovers), Jake Mechell (Eastern Suburbs), David Yoo (Coastal Spirit)
2 — Daniel Bunch (Birkenhead United), Matt Ellis (Western Springs), Oscar Faulds (Napier City Rovers), Luke Flowerdew (Wellington Phoenix Reserves), Daniel Maclennan (Coastal Spirit), Yuya Taguchi (Cashmere Technical), Stipe Ukich (Auckland City)
Highlights from Round 3
Fixtures
Games to be played on Saturday October 19, 2024
Wellington Phoenix Reserves v Coastal Spirit
Fraser Park, Taita, 12.30pm
Cashmere Technical v Wellington Olympic
English Park, Christchurch, 2pm
Birkenhead United v Napier City Rovers
Shepherds Park, Birkenhead, 2.30pm
Games to be played on Sunday October 20, 2024
Western Suburbs v Auckland City
Endeavour Park, Whitby, 1.30pm
Eastern Suburbs v Western Springs
Madills Farm, St Heliers, 2pm
Jack Sharp
Jack Sharp is a long-time follower of club football in New Zealand and is a volunteer writer for Friends of Football. You can show your appreciation for his work by buying him a coffee.
This story was first published on October 18, 2024.
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