First and foremost Ernie Merrick is an educator. His journey as a football coach and an educator has brought him to Wellington and he conducted his first full training session outdoors with the Phoenix today and ran it so his players would learn something.

They may have been second-best all season in the Super City rivalry, but Auckland City today won the one that really mattered to earn another trip to the Club World Cup.

Even though it won't be on the radar of most Aucklanders today, two football teams are playing for the biggest cash prize in New Zealand team sport this year.

New Zealand champions Waitakere United have placed one foot in the final of the OFC Champions League by securing a 2-0 win over Amicale in the pair's first leg semi-final in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Tomorrow's ASB Premiership grand final between Pritchett's Auckland City and Pearce's Waitakere United is the story of two players who have played with and against each other for a decade and a half

Former All White Noah Hickey will be one of the key figures tasked with finding a replacement for Ricki Herbert as Phoenix coach.

Coach Keith Braithwaite and four of his Canterbury United players have been handed a timely boost heading into tomorrow's home ASB Premiership semifinal with Auckland City.

If the struggling franchise want to qualify for the uber-generous finals series that the A-League offers up, then the next eight days will decide their fate.

The record for the most points in a regular 14-match season is already won, but Waitakere United coach Paul Marshall wants more.

It seems a major coup, but the Phoenix signing of Carlos Hernandez might not be the panacea everyone expects.

While top spot in the minor premiership is out of reach, City's sights are set on second and taking any advantage that might bring in the playoffs.

Led by a Ryan de Vries hat-trick, Waitakere United celebrated a fifth ASB minor Premiership in style with a 4-1 win over Otago United in Dunedin yesterday.

Plenty of action at both ends of the table mark tomorrow's round 12 action as one of the most interesting of the ASB Premiership season.

Ricki Herbert refuses to be dragged down by the off-field rumblings that threaten to sink the Wellington Phoenix' bid for a fourth successive trip to the Hyundai A-League play-offs.

Coach Paul Marshall has called for "more of the same" as his Waitakere United side prepares to face YoungHeart Manawatu at Fred Taylor Park today in a classic top v bottom clash.

Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante is sick of fielding questions about the latest musings of outspoken club co-owner Gareth Morgan.

One of New Zealand's greatest players has jumped to the defence of beleaguered Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert is still no clearer on the likely availability of captain Ryan Nelsen for upcoming Oceania World Cup qualifiers against New Caledonia.