Manurewa have retained their place in the Northern League after overcoming Manukau United in their two-legged promotion/relegation play-off.
The play-off series went to the wire, with Manurewa needing to win a penalty shootout 4-2 after the teams were locked 4-4 after extra time in the second match.
Manukau United went into the second leg with a 4-2 deficit but took the lead through Boon Ozawa in the 56th minute.
Ozawa, who joined Manukau from Manurewa at the start of this season, scored his second goal against his former club six minutes into stoppage time, and sent the game into extra time.
With the deadlock unbroken after two hours of play, referee Andres Castro ordered a penalty shoot out.
Despite leading goalscorer Eber Ramirez failing to convert his spot kick, Dylan Morris, Sammy Khan, Hector Echague and William Eng found the net, while the home side could only convert two of their penalties.
Manurewa’s place in the 2025 Northern League was put in jeopardy when they finished 10th in the 12-team 2024 competition.
This meant they had to play Manukau United in a home and away series, giving the Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship runners-up the chance to win promotion.
Waikato clubs Melville United (11th) and Hamilton Wanderers (12th) were automatically relegated and will play in next season’s Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship.
The 12-team 2025 Northern League will comprise:
• Auckland City
• Western Springs
• Eastern Suburbs
• Birkenhead United
• Auckland United
• Bay Olympic
• Tauranga City
• West Coast Rangers
• East Coast Bays
• Manurewa
• Auckland FC Reserves (new entrant)
• Fencibles United (promoted from Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship)
Result
Game played on Saturday September 21 2024
Northern League promotion/relegation play-off
Second leg
Manukau United 2 (Boon Ozawa 57′, 90+6′)
Manurewa 0
*Aggregate scores tied 4-4 after extra time; Manurewa won penalties 4-2 to retain place in Northern League
This story was first published on September 21, 2024.
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