Auckland City is through to their third consecutive Oceania Champions League final after downing Fiji's Ba 1-0 at Govind Park today.
Leading 6-1 on aggregate from their first leg effort at Kiwitea St last Sunday, Auckland always looked in control of the tie and a second-half free-kick from Alex Feneridis sealed their spot in the final.
The identity of Auckland's opponents will be confirmed tomorrow, when Waitakere tackle Amicale from Vanuatu with a two goal cushion after the first leg.
No O-League final has been contested by two clubs from the same country, but Waitakere can make that a reality if they make their 2-0 lead stand up at Fred Taylor Park.
Today, Auckland's possession-based approach virtually killed off the tie in a goalless first half. Ba created more chances than they did at Kiwitea St, with Laisenia Raura, Jacob Morrison and Scott Gannon all forcing navy blues goalkeeper Tamati Williams into good saves either side of the break.
But Feneridis' free-kick extended Auckland's aggregate advantage to 7-1 and ensured they became the first Kiwi club to win at Govind Park, with Waitakere having lost at the venue in 2007 and 2012.
The final is scheduled for Sunday, May 19 in Auckland, with the venue, thought to be Mt Smart Stadium, to be confirmed this week by OFC officials.
- APNZ
