Soccer: Canterbury United win creates playoff chase

Chris Bale of Waitakere and Tom Schwarz of Canterbury contest possession. Photo / Getty Images

Canterbury United's 2-1 win over Waitakere United left the ASB Premiership playoff chase wide open, as Auckland City and Team Wellington also grabbed vital points today.

Waitakere's defeat to third-placed Canterbury leaves both teams tied on 12 points, with only the west Aucklanders' superior goal difference keeping them above Canterbury on the ladder.

At ASB Football Park in Christchurch, Canterbury's victory was inspired by a top goalkeeping display by Adam Highfield, who thwarted the visitors with a string of impressive saves. The Dragons took the lead when Cole Peverley scored from the penalty spot after Darren White was felled in the box on 26 minutes, before doubling their advantage with six minutes left on the clock through substitute Calvin Opperman's deft shot.

Former Cantabrian Gagame Feni set up a frantic finish when he eventually beat Highfield from close range two minutes into time added, but the home side clung on to secure a valuable three points.

The victory completed a remarkable double success over Waitakere this weekend, as the Dragons also lifted the ASB Youth League title on Saturday with a dramatic 2-1 extra time win.

In Sandringham, Auckland City made sure they finished the calendar year top of the ASB Premiership with a 100 per cent winning record by beating Otago United 3-0, but their opponents will wonder what might have been after turning in an energetic performance at Kiwitea Street. Auckland were pushed all the way by Otago in a tense encounter, before eventually winning with the help of two stoppage-time goals.

The teams were deadlocked midway through the second half when Argentine striker Emiliano Tade finally breached the Otago defence with a tidy close-range finish. Otago threw caution to the wind in the final moments against an Auckland side that looked jaded after their Club World Cup campaign, but were twice caught on the break, with substitute Andrew Milne and forward Daniel Koprivcic adding gloss to the scoreline.

In the capital, Team Wellington climbed into playoff contention with a comfortable 2-0 win as last-placed YoungHeart Manawatu's woes continued. It was YoungHeart coach Stu Jacobs' first match back in Wellington since leaving for Palmerston North at the end of last season, and it wasn't a happy homecoming.

Darren Cheriton opened the scoring after Manawatu goalkeeper Matt Borren miscued a clearance straight to the midfielder on 35 minutes. Team Wellington was again in celebration mode just six minutes later when Dakota Lucas scored at the far post from a Louis Fenton pass.

In Hamilton, the match between Waikato FC and Hawke's Bay United was postponed after a torrential downpour left the Porritt Stadium surface unplayable.

The ASB Premiership now takes a summer break before restarting on January 14.