Soccer: Halswell aim to host cup final

The Chatham Cup soccer final could be held in Christchurch for the first time in 17 years if Halswell United win Sunday's semifinal against Auckland club Central United.

New Zealand Soccer (NZS) chief executive Graham Seatter confirmed English Park or Queen Elizabeth II Stadium were in line to be the venue for the final on September 5.

"If Central wins the semifinal the cup final will be at North Harbour Stadium (in Auckland)," Seatter said.

"But if Central gets beaten of Sunday then it's just possible it will be in Christchurch, at either English Park or QEII."

Seatter, who will be in Christchurch for the semifinal, said hosting a final would be "just reward" for Halswell, if they beat Central.

Halswell coach Wayne Burt said the prospect of hosting a final would be a "great incentive" for his players, "not that we're lacking too much of that".

"We are getting that buzz starting to happen."

Burt's most pressing problem is replacing suspended centreback Keith Purcell, who was sent off in a Mainland league game on Saturday.

Second-team stopper Mark Teesdale also got a red card in a reserve game. Both defenders are unavailable to play Central.

Midfielder Scott Richardson is battling a hamstring injury.

Central won the 1997 and 1998 Cup finals.

The other semifinal is between Wellington Olympic and Palmerston North Marist in Wellington.

Most Chatham Cup finals over the last decade have been held at North Harbour Stadium -- NZS's home ground.

But Seatter said NZS had to remain flexible. "At the end of the day, you've got to take support into account."

He doubted that a final between Christchurch and Wellington teams would be a major drawcard for Auckland soccer fans.

Seatter said the final was being held on a Monday night for the second successive year to avoid a clash with other events on a busy sporting weekend.

The New Zealand Knights play their first A-League home game on September 2 and the All Blacks' Bledisloe Cup rugby clash with the Wallabies is in Auckland on September 3.

Halswell is the first Canterbury club to make a Chatham Cup semifinal since Christchurch City in 2001.

The last Christchurch team to play in a cup final was Rangers, who lost 0-6 to Napier City Rovers in Napier in 1993.

- NZPA