By  nzfc.co.nz

AUCKLAND – The title of New Zealand Champions and a highly coveted place in next season’s OFC Champions League await the winners of Saturday’s New Zealand Football Championship grand final at Fred Taylor Park on Saturday. 

In knocking out Minor Premiers and defending champions Auckland City in the semi-finals, last year’s wooden spoon winners Canterbury United have not only given themselves a chance to go from football zeroes to heroes in the space of a season but join Auckland City in next season’s continental competition and become the first ever non-Auckland NZFC club to do so.

Coach Keith Braithwaite says only one goal remains for the English Park-based team – lifting their first ever NZFC trophy.

“Our goal of reaching the NZFC grand final has been achieved – the final target is to win the trophy. We have great respect for Neil Emblen and his players and they have proved so often in the past they can rise to the big occasion.”

Victory for Waitakere United would seal a second grand final win that would not only close the gap on Auckland City’s record of four NZFC titles – three won at Waitakere’s expense – but confirm Waitakere’s place as the kings of New Zealand domestic football.

But Waitakere player/coach Neil Emblen says past results will count for nothing this Saturday.

“We finished 11 points clear of Canterbury in the league standings but form and history go out the window in a one off grand final. Canterbury has enjoyed an excellent season and will be a very tough opponent.”

Comparing this weekend’s clash to a David versus Goliath struggle appears glib with resurgent Canterbury beating both Auckland City (3-0) and Waitakere (4-0) en route to their second ever grand final.

Canterbury’s last NZFC grand final appearance in 2005/06 ended in heartache for the Cantabs after they lost an epic encounter with Auckland City 4-3 on penalties. 

The form of Canterbury’s attacking midfielder Aaron Clapham has caught the eye of All Whites coach Ricki Herbert with the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa less than fifty days away.

Waitakere United player/coach Neil Emblen has guided his team to within touching distance of an NZFC and O-League double but suffered a setback last week when his side lost 3-0 to Hekari United in the 1st leg of the 2010 O-League Final in Port Moresby.

“We are desperate to become NZFC champions again and we want to represent New Zealand in the O-League again next season and we will be going all out to achieve this,” Emblen said.

Waitakere United’s future in the FIFA Club World Cup for the next two seasons is very much on the line over the next fortnight with Hekari United and Canterbury United blocking the West Aucklanders path.

A Canterbury United win in the NZFC grand final would eliminate Waitakere from next year’s O-League competition with Auckland City already guaranteed one of the two available berths after lifting this season’s minor premiership.

If Hekari United win the return leg of the O-League Final on May 2 they will qualify for the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup UAE at Waitakere United’s expense.
Emblen is aware of Canterbury’s strengths as the former FA Premiership player seeks to become the first player/coach to lift an NZFC title.

“Canterbury are organised and committed and have our total respect. It will be a tough match,” Emblen said.

Keith Braithwaite believes the two week break since their epic semi-final win over Auckland City with Waitakere United in competitive action in Papua New Guinea last week will not be a setback.

“We’ve encountered this situation a number of times this season so this will not be a drawback for us. Our squad has worked hard and although a grand final is new territory for a number of our players we also have enough experience and depth throughout to cope.”

Waitakere United are no strangers to grand final football with Neil Sykes, Allan Pearce and Benjamin Totori all familiar with the pressure of lifting trophies.

Roy Krishna and former Canterbury striker Brent Fisher boast 13 goals between them in the NZFC regular season and will make life difficult for their opponents.
But Canterbury United received a welcome boost with the return of inspirational skipper and defender Dan Terris after a serious shoulder injury.

Canterbury conceded just 16 goals to Waitakere United’s 22 during the NZFC regular season and the return of Terris to the ranks could prove timely for Braithwaite’s team.

The action kicks-off at Fred Taylor Park at 2.00pm and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 3.