21 JUL 1998 , Edition 2, Page 17.
Technical fancies chances
DUNEDIN — Dunedin Technical has its best opportunity in years to reach the Chatham Cup soccer final, coach Roger Brooks said after yesterday’s semi-final draw.
Dunedin will play Ngaruawahia United at home on August 16, and hopes it will be third time lucky in New Zealand soccer’s oldest trophy after dipping out at the semi-finals stage in 1996 and last year.
In the other semi-final, holders Central United meet fellow Auckland club Metro.
“I’m delighted with the draw,” Brooks said.
“You only get so many chances in the cup and this is as good a chance as we’ll ever get.
“I’m sure Ngaruawahia are a good side, but the Auckland sides would probably be the favourites.
“This is a great opportunity for us to make our first final in a long, long time.”
It has been something of a fairytale for unfancied Ngaruawahia, in the semi-finals for the first time in its 30-year history.
The Northern League first division club partied all weekend after beating premier league Auckland side Bay Olympic, 2-1, in extra time at Centennial Park on Saturday.
Dunedin Technical experienced similar joy, after thrashing Tawa, 5-0, in Wellington. “We always felt we could do reasonably well and could beat them, but the amount of the victory was unexpected,” Brooks said.
Dunedin Technical lost to favourite Waitakere City in 1996, and Napier City Rovers last year.