Source: Radio New Zealand
Auckland United FC players celebrate winning the final of the Women’s National League Championship. photosport
Zoe Benson scored the winner as Auckland United clinched a third consecutive National League Championship women’s title with a 1-0 win over cross-city rivals Eastern Suburbs.
It was the fifth clash between the two evenly matched rivals this season, with several Football Fern internationals dotting their respective rosters.
While Eastern Suburbs had the better of the early play, they couldn’t turn pressure into chances and they paid the price when Benson latched on to a long ball from United captain Talisha Green in the 36th minute.
Benson got ahead of her marker and reacted quickly when her shot was parried by goalkeeper Corina Brown, slotting home in the game’s decisive moment.
Eastern Suburbs pushed for an equaliser in the second spell and came closest with 10 minutes to play when defender Yukino Nishizono picked up the ball around 30 metres out and launched a rocket that looked destined for goal but flying just over the crossbar.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
