Auckland United Secures Third Consecutive Women’s National League Title

Auckland United triumphed in the National League Championship, securing their third consecutive women’s title with a decisive 1-0 victory over cross-city rivals Eastern Suburbs on March 31, 2024. The match, held at a packed venue, showcased the intense rivalry between the two teams, marking their fifth encounter of the season.

Despite Eastern Suburbs starting the match with stronger momentum, they struggled to convert their early pressure into scoring opportunities. The turning point came in the 36th minute when Auckland United’s captain, Talisha Green, delivered a long ball that found Zoe Benson. Benson, demonstrating quick reflexes, managed to get ahead of her defender and capitalized on a rebound from goalkeeper Corina Brown to score the only goal of the match.

In the second half, Eastern Suburbs intensified their efforts to equalize. Their best chance arrived with just ten minutes remaining when defender Yukino Nishizono unleashed a powerful shot from approximately 30 meters out. Unfortunately for Eastern Suburbs, the strike sailed just over the crossbar, denying them the opportunity to level the score.

This championship victory continues to highlight Auckland United’s dominance in the league, particularly in a season filled with competitive fixtures that included several players from the national team, the Football Ferns. The club’s consistent performance has solidified their reputation as a leading force in women’s football.

As fans celebrate this victory, Auckland United looks forward to the challenges ahead, aiming to build on their success in the upcoming season.