Final four chase ASB Chatham Cup final spots

The two home sides in this weekend’s ASB Chatham Cup semi finals will hope local support give them the edge as the chase a place in the showpiece final.

Miramar Rangers are eyeing their fifth title. Photosport.co.nz

August 3, 2010

AUCKLAND – The two home sides in this weekend’s ASB Chatham Cup semi finals will hope local support give them the edge as the chase a place in the showpiece final.

In two mouth-watering ties Miramar Rangers host Central United, while Dunedin football powerhouse Caversham welcome Lower Hutt City to the Caledonian Ground.

Miramar’s Italian coach Valerio Raccuglia is hoping that his charges spur his side into the club’s sixth final.

In the past 12 seasons, the Wellington club has been nigh unbeatable in cup games at home. A penalty shootout defeat to Palmerston North Marist in 2006 in the third round remains the only blot on its home record. The club has exited at the semi final stage three times in that same period, including 2009, but did successfully navigate an away semi final in 2004 on its way to the title. The Wellingtonians last won the ASB Chatham Cup in 2010.

“I’m pretty excited,” said Raccuglia, “this is my first semi final since I came to this country and we’ll try our best to win this game. I’ve done my homework, I think, and I know the history of Central United and their links with Auckland City. It’s a club celebrating their 50th Jubilee but hopefully we can do something to stop that.”

Raccuglia arrived in New Zealand just eight months ago but says taking over from former coach Matt Calcott has been a seamless transition for him.\

“I’ve kept the same style and work closely with Matt – he’s been a big help. When you arrive in a new country you have to learn who the local players are, who the clubs are, and he was valuable when it came to identifying local talent,” Raccuglia said.

Both Central United and Miramar Rangers have won the ASB Chatham Cup four times each.

Meanwhile, Caversham have never made it to the final of the 88 year old knockout competition – this year is just the seventh time they have made the last four following a heart-breaking 2-1 defeat to Napier City Rovers at the same stage last year.

However, Caversham coach Richard Murray says that experience may be lost to his side with only six players returning to the club this season and has mixed feelings on the subject.

“We have such a high turnover of players here with students coming and going but in saying that this presents new opportunities for other players and it could be just another game for them,” Murray said.

Caversham will be without two key players. Striker Tom Jackson has returned to the USA, while Otago United’s ASB Premiership marksman, Ant Hancock, is an injury doubt, but Murray hopes local support can make a difference.

“Now we’re at home in the semis everyone here, even from other clubs - particularly the older club life members - have extended their well wishes. Going on a good Cup run means local people want to come and see good football,” he said.

Caversham eased through the early rounds with some narrow victories – including a nervy 3-2 win over Roslyn Wakari in the fourth round – before disposing of Manukau City 3-1 in the quarterfinals.

Murray expects the Wellington visitors to be even tougher, but remains confident.

“To get to this stage is tough. We’ve had a good campaign but fell short before. We’re looking to build confidence on what we’ve achieved this season,” he said.

ASB Chatham Cup Semi-finals

At Caledonian, Dunedin
Caversham v Lower Hutt City
Sunday 5 August, 2012
Kick-off: 1pm

At David Farrington Park, Wellington
Miramar Rangers v Central United
Sunday 5 August, 2012
Kick-off: 2pm

Road to the final four:

Caversham
R1: Bye
R2: Grants Braes 1, Caversham 3
R3: Caversham 3, Roslyn Wakari 2
R4: Caversham 4, Cashmere Technical 2
QF: Caversham 3, Manukau City 1
SF: Caversham v Lower Hutt City

Lower Hutt City
R1: Petone 1, Lower Hutt City 2
R2: Taradale 0, Lower Hutt City 3
R3: Lower Hutt City 3, Maycenvale 0
R4: Lower Hutt City 2, Napier City Rovers 0
QF: Birkenhead United 2, Lower Hutt City 3
SF: Caversham v Lower Hutt City

Miramar Rangers
R1: North Wellington 0, Miramar Rangers 2
R2: Wellington United 0, Miramar Rangers 2
R3: Wanganui City 0, Miramar Rangers 6
R4: Miramar Rangers 5, Stop Out 0
QF: Miramar Rangers 5, Dunedin Technical 1
SF: Miramar Rangers v Central United

Central United
R1: Bye
R2: Tauranga City United 0, Central United 4
R3: Central United 3, Waitakere City
R4: Three Kings United 2, Central United 3
QF: Central United 2, Eastern Suburbs 0
SF: Miramar Rangers v Central United

Chatham Cup Round Dates
Qualification Round – April 25
Round One – May 12/13
Round Two – June 4
Round Three – June 23/24
Round Four – July 7/8
Quarterfinals – July 21/22 (national draw)
Semi-finals – August 5
Final – August 26