Latest news with #BenBate
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Final Showdown: Auckland United And Hekari Womens FC Renew Rivalry In Title Rematch
The coaches and captains of Auckland United FC and Hekari Womens FC have faced off ahead of this weekend's final at the OFC Women's Champions League in Tahiti. The two sides will meet in the title decider for the second year running with defending champions Auckland United FC winning 1-0 in the final in Honiara, Solomon Islands last year. The New Zealand champions edged a competitive Group B match 2-1 last week, and the two sides are deserving finalists having been a class above their other opponents in the tournament. Both teams expect another closely fought encounter on Saturday Tahiti time. (Sunday in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.) 'We are expecting the same again from Hekari, good energy, good pressure.' Auckland United coach Ben Bate said. ' We have seen what Hekari will bring in the first 20 minutes and we want to start well and get on the front foot early against them.' He added. Bate's counterpart at Hekari Womens FC Ericsson Komeng, says his players learned plenty from last year's final and are determined to go one better. 'With respect to Ben and his team we have to show up on the day and hopefully create more chances because they are the defending champions and a quality side and we just have to give our best.' Komeng said. Goal scoring hasn't been a problem for either side at the tournmaent with both teams winning by 6-1 margins in the semi-finals. Auckland United captain Talisha Green is confident her side can go back-to-back. 'Yeah, we're really excited. I think finals are what we play for, these big matches, so everyone's looking forward to it, pumped up. I think they're going to come out physical, they're going to come out strong and they're going to come out quick. That is their strength, and we need to do the best that we can to nullify that.' Her counterpart Marie Kaipu (7 goals) is in a race for the tournament's golden boot with Auckland United's Zoe Benson. (8 goals) But winning is all that matters for the Hekari Womens FC captain. 'Yes, we are all ready to go to the final. We have to score one or two more goals.' The winner of the tournament will compete in the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup next year in a playoff against the AFC champions with the winners visiting the CAF champions in round two.
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Final Showdown: Auckland United And Hekari Womens FC Renew Rivalry In Title Rematch
The coaches and captains of Auckland United FC and Hekari Womens FC have faced off ahead of this weekend's final at the OFC Women's Champions League in Tahiti. The two sides will meet in the title decider for the second year running with defending champions Auckland United FC winning 1-0 in the final in Honiara, Solomon Islands last year. The New Zealand champions edged a competitive Group B match 2-1 last week, and the two sides are deserving finalists having been a class above their other opponents in the tournament. Both teams expect another closely fought encounter on Saturday Tahiti time. (Sunday in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.) 'We are expecting the same again from Hekari, good energy, good pressure." Auckland United coach Ben Bate said. " We have seen what Hekari will bring in the first 20 minutes and we want to start well and get on the front foot early against them.' He added. Bate's counterpart at Hekari Womens FC Ericsson Komeng, says his players learned plenty from last year's final and are determined to go one better. 'With respect to Ben and his team we have to show up on the day and hopefully create more chances because they are the defending champions and a quality side and we just have to give our best." Komeng said. Goal scoring hasn't been a problem for either side at the tournmaent with both teams winning by 6-1 margins in the semi-finals. Auckland United captain Talisha Green is confident her side can go back-to-back. 'Yeah, we're really excited. I think finals are what we play for, these big matches, so everyone's looking forward to it, pumped up. I think they're going to come out physical, they're going to come out strong and they're going to come out quick. That is their strength, and we need to do the best that we can to nullify that.' Her counterpart Marie Kaipu (7 goals) is in a race for the tournament's golden boot with Auckland United's Zoe Benson. (8 goals) But winning is all that matters for the Hekari Womens FC captain. 'Yes, we are all ready to go to the final. We have to score one or two more goals.' The winner of the tournament will compete in the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup next year in a playoff against the AFC champions with the winners visiting the CAF champions in round two. The match is LIVE and FREE on FIFA+ link here
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland United FC Set Up Title Decider With Hekari Womens FC At The OPC Women's Champions League In Tahiti
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Defending champions Auckland United FC have blitzed Henderson Eels FC 6-1 at Stade Pater in Papeete to reach the final of the OFC Womens Champions League 2025 for the second straight year. The New Zealand champions face a rematch against Hekari Women's FC in Saturday's (Tahiti time) decider. Ben Bate's side won the final 1-0 in the Solomon Islands last year and also defeated Hekari 2-1 in Group play last week. They made a statement against Henderson Eels, scoring three times in the first seven minutes to effectively seal progression to the final. Zoe Benson scored a hat-trick inside 28 minutes to overtake Hekari United's Marie Kaipu in the race for the Golden Boot. She now has eight for the tournament, one clear of the Papua New Guinea side's captain and star striker. Henderson Eels playmaker Ileen Pegi showed her class in a brief moment of respite for the Eels with a strong run down the flank, before cutting back inside of Saskia Vosper and unleashing a stunning right footed strike to beat a despairing Hannah Mitchell in the Auckland United FC goal. That goal in the 26th minute was as good as it got for the Solomon Islanders on attack. They did manage a freekick against the crossbar late in the second half. At the other end while Betty Sade had a tough time in the Henderson Eels goal, she produced a moment of magic to deny Ava Pritchard from the penalty spot in the 36th minute. Leading by 5-1 at the break, Auckland United FC ensured there would be no dramatic comeback from their opponents two minutes after the restart when substitute Danielle Canham scored Auckland's sixth goal of the game. From there Ben Bate's side controlled the tempo but were unable to find the back of the net again as Henderson Eels produced a resolute defensive display that was missing in the opening 30 minutes of the match. Auckland United FC 6 (Tupelo DUGAN 4', Zoe BENSON 5' 18' 28', Ava PRITCHARD 7', Danielle CANHAM 47'
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland United FC Set Up Title Decider With Hekari Womens FC At The OPC Women's Champions League In Tahiti
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation The New Zealand champions face a rematch against Hekari Women's FC in Saturday's (Tahiti time) decider. Ben Bate's side won the final 1-0 in the Solomon Islands last year and also defeated Hekari 2-1 in Group play last week. They made a statement against Henderson Eels, scoring three times in the first seven minutes to effectively seal progression to the final. Zoe Benson scored a hat-trick inside 28 minutes to overtake Hekari United's Marie Kaipu in the race for the Golden Boot. She now has eight for the tournament, one clear of the Papua New Guinea side's captain and star striker. Henderson Eels playmaker Ileen Pegi showed her class in a brief moment of respite for the Eels with a strong run down the flank, before cutting back inside of Saskia Vosper and unleashing a stunning right footed strike to beat a despairing Hannah Mitchell in the Auckland United FC goal. That goal in the 26th minute was as good as it got for the Solomon Islanders on attack. They did manage a freekick against the crossbar late in the second half. At the other end while Betty Sade had a tough time in the Henderson Eels goal, she produced a moment of magic to deny Ava Pritchard from the penalty spot in the 36th minute. Leading by 5-1 at the break, Auckland United FC ensured there would be no dramatic comeback from their opponents two minutes after the restart when substitute Danielle Canham scored Auckland's sixth goal of the game. From there Ben Bate's side controlled the tempo but were unable to find the back of the net again as Henderson Eels produced a resolute defensive display that was missing in the opening 30 minutes of the match. Auckland United FC 6 (Tupelo DUGAN 4', Zoe BENSON 5' 18' 28', Ava PRITCHARD 7', Danielle CANHAM 47'
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland United FC Set Up Title Decider With Hekari Womens FC At The OPC Women's Champions League In Tahiti
The New Zealand champions face a rematch against Hekari Women's FC in Saturday's (Tahiti time) decider. Ben Bate's side won the final 1-0 in the Solomon Islands last year and also defeated Hekari 2-1 in Group play last week. They made a statement against Henderson Eels, scoring three times in the first seven minutes to effectively seal progression to the final. Zoe Benson scored a hat-trick inside 28 minutes to overtake Hekari United's Marie Kaipu in the race for the Golden Boot. She now has eight for the tournament, one clear of the Papua New Guinea side's captain and star striker. Henderson Eels playmaker Ileen Pegi showed her class in a brief moment of respite for the Eels with a strong run down the flank, before cutting back inside of Saskia Vosper and unleashing a stunning right footed strike to beat a despairing Hannah Mitchell in the Auckland United FC goal. That goal in the 26th minute was as good as it got for the Solomon Islanders on attack. They did manage a freekick against the crossbar late in the second half. At the other end while Betty Sade had a tough time in the Henderson Eels goal, she produced a moment of magic to deny Ava Pritchard from the penalty spot in the 36th minute. Leading by 5-1 at the break, Auckland United FC ensured there would be no dramatic comeback from their opponents two minutes after the restart when substitute Danielle Canham scored Auckland's sixth goal of the game. From there Ben Bate's side controlled the tempo but were unable to find the back of the net again as Henderson Eels produced a resolute defensive display that was missing in the opening 30 minutes of the match.
