Team Wellington will look to make history when they try to defend their ISPS Handa Premiership title against Auckland City at QBE Stadium on Sunday.

In a repeat of the past two finals, which Team Wellington have won, the men from the capital will look to become the first team to achieve a three-peat in the national league since Waitakere United won four titles in a row in 2012-13.

Team Wellington, who lost only three times during the regular season (twice to Eastern Suburbs and once to Waitakere United), finished second on the ladder and defeated Canterbury United Dragons 1-0 last weekend at David Farrington Park to book their place in the Grand Final.

Head Coach Jose Figueira said it would be a huge honour to lift the trophy on Sunday afternoon.

“It would be something really special,” said Figueira, who was named in March as the NZ U-17 coach and Assistant Coach to the All Whites. “It is a great opportunity to be in the final and have a chance to create a little bit of history for the club. We are excited to be in the final.”

Team Wellington made history in the 2016 final when they came from behind to beat Auckland City 4 – 2 in extra-time in an extraordinary final. They became the first team to win the title out of Auckland and Figueira has continued that momentum. They know they will be tested again as they look to break down Auckland City’s resilient defence.

“We are two teams who know each other inside out. We have players who have played with each other and against each other a number of times. This year we drew 0-0 at Kiwitea St and won 3-1 in the Charity Cup earlier in the season. In the past years we have found a way to expose some of the few weaknesses that they have. We believe that any team we come up against, we have the capability and the quality to score and we won’t change our approach in the final.”

Figueira said it will be a huge boost for the team have captain Justin Gulley back to lead the team after he missed the semi-final after being called up for his first All Whites camp.

“It was great for Justin and we were really pleased to see him get called up to the All Whites environment,” he said. “He has been a consistent performer for us and has led the team really well as captain. To have him back at training this week has been great for the group. He will be key for us going up against some of their weapons.”

The defending champions have shown huge character and depth in the 2017 – 18 season to overcome a number of their key players are missing from last year’s championship side.

Skipper Bill Robertson joined Hawke’s Bay United, while Joel Stevens (Husqvarna FF, Sweden), Niko Kirwan (AC Mestre), Cole Peverley (Auckland City), Ben Harris and Leonardo Villa all left the club. Tom Jackson has also been absent throughout the season due to injury.

Jackson, who won the Golden Boot in 2016 – 17, and Harris were huge losses for Team Wellington as the pair scored 30 of the team’s 57 goals in the regular season and Harris scored twice in the final as they won 2-1.

But the new-look team in 2017-18 have kept winning. Figueira said the key to their continued success without those players has been down to the culture the team has built over the past two seasons.

“We have had a real buy-in from the players this year. I have been looking to push things on in my second season in the way that we train, and the way we do things on and off the field. We have some good personalities too. We have experienced, but also well-grounded people within the environment who are passionate and excited to be part of the national league.”

ISPS Handa Premiership Final
When: Sunday 1 April, 2018, kick off 4.35pm, live on SKY Sport  
Where: QBE Stadium, Albany, Auckland
Who: Auckland City v Team Wellington
Updates on Twitter @NZ_Football #ISPSHandaPrem #ACvTW

Team Wellington (from); 1. Scott BASALAJ, 2. Justin GULLEY (c), 3. Scott HILLIAR, 4 Mario ILICH, 5. Liam WOOD, 6. Taylor SCHRIJVERS, 7. Eric MOLLOY, 8. Kim KYUNG-DONG, 10. Nati HAILEMARIAM, 11. Mario BARCIA, 12. Andy BEVIN, 13. Roy KAYARA, 14. Jack-Henry SINCLAIR, 16. Angus KILKOLLY, 18 Sekou DIANE, 19. Ross ALLEN, 20. Hamish WATSON, 21. Daniel MULHOLLAND, 22. Marcel KAMPMAN, 23. Steve DIMAKIS
Coach: Jose Figueira

ISPS Handa Premiership Champions

2016 - 2017 Team Wellington
2015 – 2016 Team Wellington
2014 – 2015 Auckland City FC
2013 – 2014 Auckland City FC
2012 – 2013 Waitakere United
2011 – 2012 Waitakere United
2010 – 2011 Waitakere United
2009 – 2010 Waitakere United
2008 – 2009 Auckland City FC
2007 – 2008 Waitakere United
2006 – 2007 Auckland City FC
2005 – 2006 Auckland City FC
2004 – 2005 Auckland City FC