6 Mar 2016

Auckland and Wellington reach premiership final

8:06 pm on 6 March 2016

Team Wellington will meet Auckland City in the grand final of New Zealand Football's Premiership.

Team Wellington's Magno Viera celebrates his goal.

Team Wellington's Magno Viera celebrates his goal. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Wellington earned their place with a 3-1 semi-final victory over Hawke's Bay United in Napier on Sunday.

It followed Auckland's 2-1 win over Canterbury United at Kiwitea Street also on Sunday.

Wellington held a 2-1 halftime lead at Bluewater Stadium through an early Luis Corrales strike and a late Tom Jackson penalty, while Hawke's Bay were on the board through Kohei Matsumoto.

The second period saw the hosts trying to increase the urgency in possession following the introduction of substitute Paul Ifill.

The former Phoenix front man produced several scoring chances, but with 11 minutes to go Team Wellington's, Magno Vieira, lobbed the ball over the stranded Hawke's Bay keeper, Josh Hill, to seal his side's spot in Thursday night's showcase.

In Auckland, the Minor premiership winners, Auckland City, were forced to work hard for their win.

Canterbury's Gary Ogilvie up against Auckland's Mario Bilen.

Canterbury's Gary Ogilvie up against Auckland's Mario Bilen. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The prolific marksman, Ryan De Vries, was again the difference, scoring a goal in each half to see off Canterbury United, who got on the board late in the first half via Julyan Collett.

Auckland city coach RamonTribulietx said his team did what was needed to advance.

"I think they [Canterbury United] were very good, they pressed us very well," he said.

"Our players showed the character when the game wasn't going our way to tuck in and defend those set pieces.

Auckland City FC coach Ramon Tribulietx

Auckland City FC coach Ramon Tribulietx Photo: Supplied

"Once they equalised we came back in the second half trying to play our game and in some moments we played a little bit better in possession and overall we won it, so now we'll recover from this and focus on the final."