KEY POINTS:
As Waitakere United popped the champagne corks after winning the NZFC league yesterday, the celebrations had a disappointingly muted tone to them.
Hanging over the league is the spectre of Auckland City's continued appeal against three lost points from a match against Waitakere in October.
If that wasn't frustrating enough for Waitakere, they then had to swallow another bitter pill when they heard yesterday that Jason Hayne and Luis del Monte had scored injury-time goals to hand Auckland an unlikely 3-2 win over Wellington. An Auckland defeat would have at least confirmed Waitakere as finalists.
Auckland's latest appeal will be heard this week but it threatens to delay both the semifinal and grand final by a week.
"It's a f**ken disgrace," Waitakere coach Steve Cain blasted after witnessing his side set a new NZFC record in their 8-0 romp over Otago yesterday. "They [Auckland] are bringing the game into disrepute. It stops us celebrating properly. I'm sure they have done it to try and sour what we have achieved.
"I'm sure things will go our way. Hopefully commonsense will prevail and it will be decided on the football field."
It eventually has to be, but it's a matter that should have been sorted out some weeks ago and a number of parties must take some of the blame.
It's also a matter that could eventually cost in excess of $100,000 in legal fees and the US$1 million bounty for sides that qualify for the World Club Championships is a significant factor in why it has dragged on for so long.
In theory, Waitakere will host the grand final in a fortnight at North Harbour Stadium. Manawatu, who disposed of Canterbury 3-2 in Christchurch, would then host a winner-take-all semifinal against Auckland.
Waitakere will take a great deal of confidence into the playoffs, no matter what happens. They were completely dominant against a young Otago side yesterday and it clearly illustrated the gap between the top and bottom of the league.
George Suri was the first on the scoresheet, when he prodded in from close range in the 25th minute, but the game was effectively over when Jakub Sinkora and Daniel Koprivcic scored in the space of three minutes just before halftime.
Danny Hay, Commins Menapi and an Allan Pearce double heaped the misery on Terry Phelan's side before Koprivcic completed the scoring in the 87th minute.
Yesterday's win rounded out a perfect record at home for Waitakere this season (subject to appeal) and left them with the best defence in the league. That defence, though, will be without skipper Danny Hay for the final, even if it is delayed, considering he will be on duty with the All Whites for their two-match tour of South America.
It is just another thing for Cain to dwell on. He was left to lament another Auckland Houdini act yesterday, but winning the three points back might be one trick too many for his bitter cross-town rivals. Cain and Waitakere sure hope so.
Yesterday's results
Waitakere Utd 8, Otago United 0
Wellington 2, Auckland City 3
Canterbury Utd 2, Manawatu 3
Waikato 4, Hawke's Bay 2
If the present situation stands:
Waitakere to host NZFC Grand Final at North Harbour Stadium on March 24. Manawatu to host Auckland in Palmerston North on Saturday.
If Auckland win their appeal:
Manawatu to host the final
Auckland to host Waitakere in semifinal
