Waitakere United chase elusive first NZFC title

While Waitakere United might now be seen as the heavyweights in New Zealand football, they are yet to taste victory in the NZFC with two Grand Final defeats behind them in the three year history of the competition.

The moniker of Oceania Champions may have gone some way to ease the pain last year but deep down the desire to call themselves champions of New Zealand is stronger than ever.

Chris Milicich’s side get the chance to satisfy that desire when they host the NZFC Grand Final at Douglas Field this Sunday but they are not facing their ‘usual’ opposition.

Team Wellington will occupy the dressing room many had already booked Auckland City into but the Capital City side upset those predictions with a deserved 4-3 win over Auckland in the preliminary final and will come to Douglas Field high on confidence.

Milicich said Sunday is the day that all the planning and hard work has been leading up to.

“When I returned to coach the team for this season, I was already familiar with the passion for the game out West and the drive of the people at the club to bring success. Far from bringing pressure though, that sort of emotion has given me and the players a lift throughout the season and led us to hosting the Grand Final.

“We have been here before however and know the empty feeling that a loss will bring. The minor premiership does not earn you the right to be called champions, that right is earned in the 90 minutes on Sunday and we must approach it like we have all other matches this year with a clear mind and steely determination. Wellington are more than worthy opponents and will be full of confidence after Saturday’s win.”

It is not like Waitakere should be nervous on the day. With players such as Danny Hay, Neil Emblen, Darren Bazeley and Commins Menapi on their books, Douglas Field will hardly be daunting. Not when those players have played on and in front of some of the most intimidating grounds and hostile supporters in the world.

But that does not mean former English Premiership player and one of the few shining lights to emerge from the NZ Knights Neil Emblen is playing down Sunday’s occasion, far from it.

“Sunday will be the biggest game of my career and that is how I am approaching it. I know how much it means to the Chairman, the staff, the fans and the kids out West to bring a championship home to them. I have played in some big matches at some of the world’s most famous grounds but as far as I am concerned Douglas Field on Sunday deserves to be right up there as far as the occasion goes and what it means to the community. I can’t wait for it.”

Few would begrudge Emblen and Bazeley that taste of success. Both have settled their families permanently in New Zealand and both are working fulltime in the game, delivering coaching programmes and courses to children and youngsters in their development roles with Waitakere United and United Soccer 1 respectively.

Competition for places in the side will be intense, all the more so with the arrival a month ago of Fijian international striker Roy Krishna. Consequently training will not be for the faint hearted this week with players looking to impress Milicich and earn a place in the squad.