Soccer: Waikato stun favoured City

The form book took a hiding as the second phase of the three-round New Zealand Football Championship kicked off over the weekend.

Hawkes Bay United's seemingly controversial 1-0 upset win over Waitakere United on Friday night was only the beginning.

By the time the dust had settled last night, Auckland City had been tipped off the top of the table and YoungHeart Manawatu were a point clear in the race for a place in the Oceania club championship and with it the chance of an eventual $1.4 million payday.

Just three minutes into the match Auckland City sharpshooter Keryn Jordan cashed in on some hesitant goalkeeping from Waikato FC's Tamati Williams.

But that was the defending champions' lot.

A similarly uncertain effort by City goalkeeper Ross Nicholson just before the break allowed the home side to grab an unlikely equaliser.

Caught in possession, Nicholson could do little as Brent Mayhew pounced.

With new signings Paul Caton and Craig Flowerday given half a game each by coach Declan Edge, Waikato were steady at the back in keeping the free-scoring City side at bay.

The dramatic winner came two minutes from time when Czech Mudrik Franpisek, another of Edge's signings in last week's transfer window, gathered with his back to goal, turned and, from nearly 20m out, snapped a shot in off the near post as Nicholson unsuccessfully dived to smother.

Waikato and Hawkes Bay, the bottom two teams in the NZ Community Trust-sponsored championship, were the only home teams to claim maximum points.

Colin Tuaa's Manawatu undid Canterbury United with a late strike at English Park.

The visitors got home 1-0 when Commins Menapi volleyed home after Michael Sands had flicked on a freekick two minutes from time.

It was a deserved win for Manawatu who have prospered in playing the majority of their early matches at home but have also found their winning touch away to take a one-point lead over Auckland City with Canterbury now four points off the pace.

The clash at Newtown Park did nothing for Team Wellington and Otago United's hopes of a mid-season charge.

Bryan Little put the home side in front 17 minutes into the second spell when he curled a left-foot freekick around the defensive wall.

Within six minutes Otago drew level when man-of-the-match Blair Scoullar picked out Bred Scott at the far post.

In round nine action, and with all games on Sunday, Auckland City are at home to Canterbury United while Waitakere United, desperate to get their season back on track, face their second difficult away trip to Dunedin to play Otago United.

* In light of ongoing refereeing issues, NZFC manager Glyn Taylor is expected to call for a meeting involving officials and team coaches before the championship resumes after the Christmas break on January 8.