After an exciting opening round, the National League Championship is back this weekend and there are plenty of exciting clashes. Here are some of our picks of Round 2.

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Auckland United vs Eastern Suburbs

4:00PM / 1 Oct / Madills Farm 1

Winners of the Lotto NRFL Women's Premiership 2023, Auckland United face runners up Eastern Suburbs in a clash of two teams with eyes on the title. The last meeting between these two earlier in the season saw Suburbs run away 4-1 winners, however United managed to pip them to the post at the top of the Lotto NRFL Premiership when it mattered. Both sides recorded wins in the opening weekend of the Championship and they will be looking to go two for two to give them an early advantage in the title race.  

Player to watch:

Rene Wasi:

Wasi is currently in hot form, scoring twice for United in Round 1. She is a player that has a knack for the big games, finding the net against suburbs in their last meeting.

Stream Auckland United vs Eastern Subrubs on FIFA+


Christchurch United vs Wellington Phoenix Reserves

12:30PM / 30 Sep / United Sports Centre T1

It’s the Southern League championships against the Phoenix Reserves, who finished 2nd in the Central League after a strong season from their young side. Christchurch United head coach Paul Ifill will be looking to make it 6 points from 2 games against the his old club but will be well aware of the team’s potential. The Nix started the Championship with a loss, but it was a close game against the undefeated defending champions Auckland City FC.

Player to watch:

Cameron Lindsay:

Lindsay was a standout performer in Christchurch United’s win over the weekend, a 1-0 victory over Eastern Suburbs. United showed defensive stability as they dealt with wave after wave of Suburbs attack during the match. Lindsay was right at the centre of it, blocking shots, picking up runners and winning crucial aerial duels to help his team to a hard fought cleansheet and victory. Phoenix Reserves will need to work hard to get past Christchurch and Lindsay come match day two.

Stream Christchurch United vs Wellington Phoenix Reserves on FIFA+


Canterbury United vs CF Waterside Karori

2:00PM / 1 Oct / English Park G1

Canterbury United Pride features a mixture of players from a selection of Mainland football teams, with the majority being called up from Women’s South Island League sides including Coastal Spirit’s golden boot winning goal machine Britney Lee-Nicholson, who found the net in the opening weekend in the teams 2-4 defeat to Auckland United.

The Pride will be looking to improve their record against a Waterside Karori side that have only lost one league game all year on their way to winning the Women’s Central League.

Player to watch:

Britney Lee-Nicholson:

The Coastal Spirit striker has joined up with Canterbury Pride after scoring an incredible 17 goals in Women’s South Island League this season and has not slowed, finding the back of the net against Auckland United in Round 1.

Stream Canterbury United vs CF Waterside Karori on FIFA+ 

 

(Credit: Photosport)

Auckland City FC vs Manurewa AFC

3:00PM / 1 Oct / Kiwitea Street

It’s the new team on the block against the defending champions as Manurewa AFC take on Auckland City FC. The home side struggled against Auckland City in the Northern League this year, only managing a 0-2 and 0-7 loss, and suffered defeat on opening weekend to Central League winners Wellington Olypmic, but their trajectory so far has very much been outperforming expectations, can they once again defy the odds?

Auckland City FC will be looking to secure another 3 points after a narrow in against Wellington Phoenix in the opening round.

Player to watch:

Liam Gillion:

The winger has had a breakout year at Auckland City FC, with his quick feet, flair and eye for a goal. Gillion impressed in the first round, taking the corner that led to the winning goal against Wellington Phoenix. Gillion will no doubt be looking to get on the score sheet against Manurewa, the same thing he did when the sides met in the Northern League earlier this year.

Stream Auckland City vs Manurewa AFC on FIFA+

Article added: Friday 29 September 2023