8 JUL 1998 , Edition 2, Page 12.
Ngaruawahia in Cup final hunt
By: ANDERSON Ian
Ngaruawahia could yet host part of this season’s Chatham Cup soccer final.
The 1998 Chatham Cup final could be a two-leg affair and Northern League division one side Ngaruawahia must at least fancy their chances of making the last four.
They host premier division outfit Bay Olympic of Auckland on July 19 while Soccer New Zealand toy with a number of issues regarding the Cup competition which has lost most of its prestige since the switch to summer soccer in 1994.
The format, venue and date for the final has yet to be decided but could be confirmed after the quarterfinals are played. SNZ competitions manager Glenn Turner said a two-leg final was an option with two dates proposed at present for the final — September 19 and 26.
The Chatham Cup final was held over two legs for three consecutive seasons in the late 1980s, with Waikato United winning the trophy in 1988 on the away goals rule against Christchurch United.
It’s possible the final could be played on a home-and-away basis at the club grounds of the respective finalists after being hosted in Napier for the past five seasons. SNZ have been criticised for deciding on the Napier venue early each year when Napier City Rovers only qualified for the ’93 and ’97 finals. The city has hosted two matches between two Auckland teams and one between Auckland and Wellington rivals.
Soccer Hawke’s Bay is keen to host the final again this year but at McLean Park, with the Napier club not interested in making their Park Island ground the venue. It’s unlikely SNZ would want the match to be played in front of a small crowd at a stadium which can hold 18,000.
The Wellington Football Association has lost interest in being a possible host after planning to hold the final as part of their 75th anniversary celebrations and it’s unlikely Palmerston North’s bid will be approved.