Reigning champions stunned
ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership 2020/21, Week Two Roundup & Preview of Week Three
Week Two Roundup:
Hamilton Wanderers 2 - Auckland City 0
A Derek Tieku first-half brace was enough to sink the reigning champions as they went down to the same side that had defeated them in pre-season. Rare back to back defeats for the champions was made even more historic as it was Wanderers first three points gained from Auckland in the national competition proper (in nine attempts) and they were well worth their win. Worryingly for City, they could not come up with a response in the second half, with Logan Rogerson and Emiliano Tade both missing, replacement strikers Maro Bonsu-Maro and Dylan Manickum were unable to find the net.
Man of the Match: Derek Tieku
Waitakere United 1 – Wellington Phoenix Reserves 4
After handing out a 4-0 defeat in round one, Waitakere United were beaten 4-1 at home, as a rampant WeeNix side lit up Seddon Fields pitch one. After the impressive Alexander Grieve scored another goal to give his Waitakere side the lead in the 23rd minute, his strike was cancelled out by a Shiuab Khan own goal in the 33rd in an end-to-end first half. In the second, Jaylen Rodwell scored to make it 2-1 before Ben Old, who had deserved a goal all game, scored two to seal the result for the Reserves in the 90th and 95th minute, as Waitakere pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Man of the Match: Ben Old (Wellington Phoenix)
Team Wellington 2 - Hawke’s Bay United 1
After a disappointing performance at home last time out, it was a much-improved Hawkes Bay side that took the lead at David Farrington Park. It had been a cagey opening 45, on a pitch in terrible condition, with players combating dodgy grass clumps, sand, and the wind. It was not until the penalty was given in the 66th minute that the deadlock was broken. Jesse Randall scored from the rebound after Scott Basalaj had saved his first attempt from the spot. The Hawkes Bay lead only lasted four minutes however, Nathanael Hailemariam steered a header into the Bay net and the comeback was completed in the 90th minute when Joao Moreira thundered the match-winner into the roof of the United net.
Man of the Match: Joao Moreira (Team Wellington)
Eastern Suburbs vs Canterbury United
Eastern Suburbs quickly bounced back from their contentious defeat to Auckland City in round one with a comfortable victory over the team from the South this week. Goals for Lilywhites players Kelvin Kalua (37’), Adam Thurston (41’) and Kingsley Sinclair (63’) meant that three points went to the home side. For Canterbury, Jacob Richards 56th minute strike had given the Dragons some hope of a comeback before Sinclair sealed the result on a decent Madill’s Farm pitch.
Man of the Match: Kingsley Sinclair (Eastern Suburbs)
Week Three Preview:
Waitakere United vs Team Wellington – Sat 28/11/20, 1:00pm kick-off
Another home game gives Waitakere the chance to make amends for their shock loss to the Wellington Phoenix Reserves last week. Buoyed by their back to back wins, Team Wellington make the trip to Auckland looking to make it three wins from three.
Prediction: 3-2 Team Wellington win
Wellington Phoenix Reserves vs Eastern Suburbs – Sat 28/11/20, 1:00pm kick-off
After big wins for both sides last week, this will be an intriguing clash of some of the country’s best coaching minds and young players. With both favouring an attacking, possession-based style of play, expect this to be an open and entertaining affair.
Prediction: 2-2 draw
Auckland City vs Hawke’s Bay United – Sun 29/11/20, 2:00pm kick-off
City will be delighted to be back at Kiwitea Street after their Hamilton humbling and will be hoping to get back to winning ways against the luckless Bay. Hawke’s Bay put in a good performance last time out but were undone at the death. They will be hoping that they can bring the level of performance they showed against Team Wellington, otherwise they could be in for a rough day against an Auckland City side still smarting from their defeat.
Prediction: 2-1 Auckland City win
Canterbury United vs Hamilton Wanderers - Sun 29/11/20, 4:00pm kick-off
The surprise of the competition so far, Hamilton Wanderers take their red-hot form into a game against United, a team that have struggled to find any sort of form so far this season. On form it is a mismatch but on paper Canterbury have the players to unsettle Hamilton’s rhythm. This prediction is based on the form of Hamilton, who should have too much firepower for the wounded Dragons.
Prediction: 3-1 Hamilton Wanderers win