Auckland City's grip on the NZFC looks a little insecure. There is enough quality and experience in the side to win a third straight title but they haven't been playing like the dominant side of the past two seasons.
Canterbury dictated terms despite finishing with just nine menyesterday. Auckland looked tired but shouldn't have, considering coach Paul Marshall made many changes from the team that beat Waikato 2-0 last weekend.
It's only natural a busy season will take its toll. But City will need to improve markedly to successfully defend their title on March 24, if they even reach the final.
Waitakere needed only to beat Hawke's Bay in Napier yesterday to confirm a place in the final but lost 3-0. They can still head off second-placed Manawatu by winning their last game against Otago next weekend.
Auckland were behind as early as the eighth minute yesterday when Canterbury winger Henry Fa'arodo masterfully curled in a shot from the edge of the box past goalkeeper Ross Nicholson. The second came courtesy of Blair Scoullar in the 25th minute, when he prodded in from close range.
Auckland were sitting back too much, inviting Canterbury to come at them. And despite a slight improvement in the second half, particularly after the dismissal of Joe Murray in the 64th minute for his second yellow card, Auckland rarely threatened.
Bryan Little came closest, with a piledriver from 25m that hit the inside of the post, while Keryn Jordan hit the crossbar in injury time.
The southerners deserved their win. Out of the playoffs race, they had nothing to play for but also nothing to lose. They were well organised and dangerous on the break and killed off the match when Scoullar wormed his way past two defenders and slotted the ball between replacement goalkeeper Richard Gillespie's legs in the 87th minute.
Canterbury skipper Daniel Terris was sent off soon after but by then, it was too late for the home side. It's not too late as far as the season is concerned but Auckland must improve considerably to claim a third title.
