Auckland City took the long route but they were ultimately rewarded when winning the national soccer league final yesterday.
Auckland, the 2005 champions, made it successive titles by beating Canterbury United 4-3 in a penalty shootout at Kiwitea Street in Auckland.
The New Zealand Football Championship finale was in thebalance at 3-3 after extra time following an extraordinary match.
Auckland goalkeeper Ross Nicholson then performed the heroics when they were most needed to twice deny Canterbury from the spot.
Earlier, Canterbury showed their tenacity to draw level on each occasion Auckland threatened to make the game safe.
Strikes by Grant Young, Keryn Jordan and Chad Coombes were offset by a Stuart Kelly double and an own goal conceded by Nicholson in the 75th minute when he went to palm away a corner only to watch the ball deflect into the goal.
Auckland City 3 (Grant Young, Keryn Jordan, Chad Coombes) Canterbury United 3 (Stuart Kelly 2, own goal). Halftime: 1-0. Fulltime: 3-3. Extra time: 3-3. Auckland City won 4-3 in penalty shootout
