So it all comes down to this. By Sunday night the men’s and women’s National League Championship winners 2023 will be crowned after another hotly contested season. 

But which teams are going to need to clear space in their trophy cabinet, and who is going to be leaving Go Media Stadium Mt Smart disappointed? 

Men’s Grand Final - Wellington Olympic vs Auckland City FC
1pm - Watch live and free on FIFA+

You’ve be forgiven for thinking there is a bit of déjà vu about the men’s Grand Final as Wellington Olympic take on Auckland City FC for the second time in successive seasons. 

In 2022 it was Auckland City FC who lifted the trophy after a thrilling 3-2 win against The Greeks, ending a dominant season where they won the Northern League, OFC Champions League, Chatham Cup and National League Championship. 

But 2023 is a different story. City are clearly still a dominant force but ended the season with two rare home defeats against Christchurch United and Wellington Olympic, seeing them finish second in the table, 2 points behind Sunday’s opponent. 

For Olympic, they have been in great form all season and won the Central League at a canter, 9 points ahead of second-placed Wellington Phoenix. But this is the big prize they really want. 

Looking at the stats, Olympic have the best offence in the league, scoring 34 goals in 9 games, 11 of which have come from league joint top scorer Gianni Bouzoukis. 

Looking to stop Wellington Olympic’s No. 10 will be the second best defence in the league with Auckland City FC only conceding 12 goals in the Championship. And they certainly have threats at the other end of the pitch with Angus Kilkolly third in the golden boot race on 7.  

Based on recent form Wellington Olympic should go in as slight favourites but Auckland City FC know how to win in the big games as shown by their dominance of domestic competitions in the last decade. It’s all to play for at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart…

 

Women’s Grand Final – Auckland United vs Southern United 
4pm - Watch live and free on FIFA+

If you had asked any National League fan who was going to be in the women’s Grand Final a two weeks ago, Eastern Suburbs would have looked a dead cert. But following their shock defeat to bottom of the table Ellerslie in Round 8, the race for the Championship was blown right open and Auckland United and Southern United seized their chance for national glory. 

Both sides have had brilliant seasons and end the league campaign with exactly the same record on 7 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat and a goal difference of +16. Auckland United sit top of the table as they have scored more goals (25), but Southern United have the better defence, only conceding 6 goals all season, the best defensive record in either the men’s or women’s competition.

The head to head record also doesn’t give much away either with the teams drawing 1-1 in Round 6. 

For Auckland United, they will be looking to bring the big game mentality that saw them win the Kate Sheppard Cup in 2022. New signing Yume Harashima has been impressive in midfield, along with attackers Rene Wasi and Bree Johnson having strong Championship seasons. At the other end of the pitch goalkeeper Aimee Hall has consistently looked good and played a big role in her side only conceding 9 goals in the Championship phase. 

Amy Hislop has been one of Southern United’s breakout stars, with 7 goals for the forward in 9 games. Joining the always impressive Rose Morton in midfield, Kendrah Smith has had a brilliant season for Southern and will be one to watch if her side want to lift their first trophy since their South Central Series win in 2021. 

Article added: Saturday 25 November 2023