KEY POINTS:
The pall of uncertainty continues to hang over the New Zealand Football Championship leaving the end-of-season play-offs up in the air.
After another week of thrust and counter-thrust, resolution appeared as far away as ever yesterday as Auckland City continued efforts to have the points they had stripped re-instated.
Both parties remain coy and issued "no comment" statements but with New Zealand Soccer chief executive Graham Seatter saying he is determined to at least have the "process and timeframe" in place before teams kick-off last round matches at 4pm tomorrow.
With their decisive 6-2 win over Team Wellington at Newtown Park in Wednesday's catch-up game, Auckland City consolidated third place but, realistically, have no where else to go.
Unless, of course, they get the docked points back.
Going into the last round - with all games kicking off simultaneously - Waitakere United have 44 points, YoungHeart Manawatu 42 and City 39.
Waitakere are at home to lowly Otago, Manawatu travel to play Canterbury United and City are back in Wellington. If, as expected, the top three win, then Waitakere will go on to host the March 24 grand final meeting the winner of the March 17 preliminary final between the second and third teams.
That is unless City's appeal finds an accommodating ear which could mean a huge reshuffle - but only if the issue is resolved before the scheduled play-offs.
City chairman Ivan Vuksich was reluctant to comment.
"I don't know what the outcome [the final league positions] will be," said Vuksich. "We are right in the middle of things. Hopefully by the weekend the matter will be resolved and I will be in a position to make comment.
"There are now only two parties - us and New Zealand Soccer involved.
Seatter too had no comment other than to say "it is still in progress" but with the determination to have "something out there" before round 21 matches kick-off tomorrow.
Putting the issue - which has now been going on for 19 weeks - aside, there is some interest in the last round.
Waitakere will claim the minor premiership with victory at Trusts Stadium and with it a guaranteed spot in the next Oceania Champions League.
A draw would not be enough to assure Waitakere of the honours as they could be caught by Manawatu who have a vastly superior goal difference and would take top spot with maximum points in Christchurch. That could push Waitakere into second place and leave them to host the preliminary final against City who cannot realistically improve on third.
It is sad that at this late stage of the season the uncertainty over those three contentious points is overshadowing what should be a stirring finish to the third NZFC season.
With most teams close to full strength - with only the odd player sidelined by suspension after picking up a fifth yellow card - tomorrow's round promises some close battles by some nervous teams.
In the othermatch, Waikato FC are at home to Hawkes Bay at Links Ave with the home side chasing the points they need to force Otago to the bottom of the table.
It will also provide a late chance for home-based players to further press claims for a place in Ricki Herbert's All Whites squads.
He is expected to name his 20 players tomorrow for this month's games in Costa Rica and Venezuela and after that a preliminary 25-strong squad to prepare for the European tour/World Cup matches later in the year.
