Soccer: Waitakere cruise into final after derailing Waikato 4-1

Chris Milicich pulled all the strings as his Waitakere United side beat Waikato FC 4-1 in the New Zealand Football Championship elimination soccer final in Auckland today.

Not everything fell into place for the west Aucklanders, who must play the grand final against Auckland City on Saturday without captain and key defender Sean Douglas.

Yellow carded by referee Neil Fox for an innocuous challenge on Waikato striker Brett Derry, Douglas picked up his fourth booking and will miss the final.

In an inspirational move, Milicich surprised many by keeping ace striker Keryn Jordan on the bench for an hour.

Once unleashed, Jordan showed his class with the two deciding goals at Trusts Stadium.

"Given the physical nature of the Waikato defence and aware he was only one yellow away from missing a game, I decided to keep him out of it," Milicich said in defending the decision not to start Jordan.

"Had he played throughout and become involved he could have missed the final."

Jordan entered the game with the home side 2-1 ahead after Daniel Ellensohn, in for Jordan and having only his third start of the season, had opened the scoring in the ninth minute.

Waikato got one back in the 32nd minute when awarded a soft penalty which Steve Callinan converted.

Five minutes later Craig Wylie celebrated one of the most bizarre goals of his career.

Wide of the goal and about 30m out, he curled a left-foot freekick which bounced once and, as the mesmerised Waikato defence stood back, nestled in the net.

Callinan had an early chance in the second spell after Waikato had absorbed some sustained pressure.

They later created half chances for David Samson and substitute Adam Crump but without really threatening.

Conversely, Jordan was all class as he headed home a Wylie cross for 3-1 and stabbed home from close range for another eight minutes from fulltime.

It was an encouraging workout ahead of the final with none showing out more than veterans Chris Jackson, who worked tirelessly in the heart of the United midfield, and Douglas, back in his more favoured central defensive role.

"On the day, the best team won," Waikato manager James Pamment said.

"We gave away a farcical goal at 1-1 when we were playing our best football.

"In the second half they were much smarter. Some of our younger guys couldn't step up under pressure but they'll learn from the experience."

Led by Douglas and man-of-the-match Jackson, Waitakere were close to their best form.

"We killed them," Milicich said afterwards.

"When we go forward we really go forward."

Both sides were guilty of resorting to aimless long balls at times.

Allan Pearce showed nice touches but is obviously more comfortable playing centrally rather than the wide role Milicich needs.

Ellensohn did well enough and was rewarded with his first goal of the season.

As Milicich contemplates the final, he muses on a team who have done well but let themselves down at crucial times.

"Our discipline is an issue. It will be hard without Sean but we will have to meet that challenge," Milicich said.

"We invited Waikato, who had beaten us twice this season, to play through us which they couldn't. Now we have to plan for Auckland City."

- NZPA