Soccer: Auckland City advance to national final

Auckland City FC's Albert Riera in action during their sides Football clash against Wellington. Photo / Greg Bowker

Auckland City booked a place in the national soccer league final with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Team Wellington in the second leg of their semi-final at Kiwitea Street today to claim an aggregate victory of 7-1.

They are likely to face crosstown rivals Waitakere United in the final as they take a 6-2 lead into their second leg of their playoff against Canterbury United in Christchurch next Sunday.

City's Daniel Koprivcic began the rout after 40 seconds with a sublime one-two with Adam Dickinson but an expansive Wellington - trailing 0-2 from the first leg - levelled in the 15th minute with Emilano Tade setting up Hicham Kamri for a fierce volley.

Spanish striker Manel Exposito combined with Dickinson to set up the Englishman for Auckland's second after 30 minutes to settle the nerves and set them on their way to a fifth grand final appearance.

Koprivcic grabbed his second nine minutes into the second half and a clinical finish from former Wellington player Luis Corrales made it 4-1 10 minutes later.

The influential Exposito, who had previously been denied three times by Wellington keeper Phil Imray, finally beat him five minutes from the end to complete the scoring.

"It was probably one of our best games," said Auckland City co-coach Ramon Tribulietx.

"That early goal gave us confidence and they had to go for it. We had a lot of space and we made good use it."

All White Jacob Spoonley started in goal for Auckland after jetting in from China hours before kickoff, but David Mulligan and Ivan Vicelich, who both played 90 minutes against China, watched from the sidelines.

The final on April 10 will be played at Kiwitea Street or Waitakere's Fred Taylor Park depending on whether Waitakere or Canterbury progress next week.

- NZPA