Wellington Olympic are the 2023 National League men’s football champions, following an epic final on Sunday.
After some near misses against arch rivals Auckland City in recent years, they finally prevailed when it mattered with a 2-0 win at Mt Smart Stadium.
A superb Kalian Gould goal in the 58th minute was the difference before Jack-Henry Sinclair sealed the contest with the last kick of the match, finding an empty net from distance as Auckland City desperately searched for an equaliser to spark massive celebrations on the field and in the grandstand.
The result avenges last year’s loss in the national decider and caps off an impressive season for Olympic, who went unbeaten through the National League Championship with nine wins and two draws, scoring 34 goals in the process.
It’s the culmination of a long-term project at the Wellington club, who have established themselves as a dominant domestic force, alongside Auckland City.