Auckland United
This is Auckland United's first final.
Auckland United entered the tournament in round 2, as a Northern League team. They began with a 5–0 home victory over Taupo at Crown Park. Ishveer Singh and Matias Nunez both grabbed braces, while Shaan Anand completed the scoring. [7] They then defeated Northland away in round 3 in a 3–0 victory, thanks to an Emiliano Tade hat-trick. [8] In round 4, they beat Melville United 7–1 at home. Daniel Atkinson picked up a hat-trick this time with Bruce Izumi and Ishveer Singh also scoring before and Daniel Olaoye brace sealed the win. [9] [10]
In the quarter-final match, Auckland United faced Christchurch United at United Sports Centre in Christchurch, where they came out with an after extra time win. Matthew Conroy and Emilano Tade both scored inside the last 10 minutes to send the game to extra time. Tade found the net again in extra-time before Ishveer Singh confirmed United's progression to the semi finals. [11]
In the semi-final match, held at Keith Hay Park, Auckland United defeated Southern League side Nelson Suburbs 3–0, to qualify for their first Chatham Cup final. Daniel Olaoye, Matthew Conroy and Emiliano Tade all socred in the first half to ensure United progressed to their first ever Chatham Cup final. [12] [13]
Wellington Olympic
This is Olympic's fourth final. The club previously lost in 1994 and won in 2009 and 2024.
As a Central League team, Wellington Olympic also entered the tournament in round 2. They began their campaign with a 3–0 away win over fellow Central League side Petone. Hamish Watson grabbed a brace, while Isa Prins also bagged a goal. [7] They next recorded a 3–0 away win over Waterside Karori at the same ground with two goals Jack-Henry Sinclair, while Ben Mata opened the scoring. [8] In round 4, Olympic travelled to Napier City Rovers and recorded 3–2 win. Isa Prins, Jack-Henry Sinclair and Hamish Watson all scored again to help Olympic progress to the quarter-finals. [9] [10]
In the quarter-finals, Olympic defeated Western Suburbs 3–2 after extra time. Gavin Hoy opened the scoring just before half-time, with Gianni Bouzoukis doubling their lead in the last 15 minutes. With eight minutes remaining, Freeman grabbed one back for Suburbs, before Finn Diamond found an equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time. After 110 minutes, A Davies finally found the winner for Olympic. [11]
In the semi-final match, held at Eastern Suburbs' Madills Farm in Auckland, Olympic won 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. Jake Mechell gave Suburbs the lead on half an hour, before a second half penalty from Isa Prins sent the game to extra-time. With scores remaining level for the extra 30 minutes, the game progressed to penalties. Noah Karunaratne had his penalty saved by Scott Basalaj, meaning Olympic would play in back-to-back finals. [12] [13]
