The semi-final of the Chatham Cup between Eastern Suburbs and Hamilton Wanderers will be streamed live by ESAFC TV.
The game at Madills Farm, kicks off at 2pm on Saturday August 20, 2022, and Eastern Suburbs say their live stream will start at 1.50pm.
You can watch it here:
Fixture
Eastern Suburbs v Hamilton Wanderers
Madills Farm, Auckland, 2pm
Eastern Suburbs
The LilyWhites have not been in the hunt in this year’s Northern League, falling away from the leading bunch early.
So, the Chatham Cup has come as a welcome diversion and the side has been able to put together a strong campaign.
And they’ve had to do it the hard way, winning all four of their ties away from home, and needing penalties to get past Fencibles United who have been the only club to get a goal against Suburbs in this year’s cup.
If the semi-final goes the way of Suburbs’ recent league games, expect two things — they won’t win by many, and they won’t be relying on one talismanic goalscorer.
Suburbs have not scored more than two goals in a game in their last 10 outings, and their season’s top goalscorer, Daniel Champness, has only four goals to his name.
Key player: Captain Michael Built has scored three goals this season — check out this screamer from 25-metres here — but it’s his busy, organisational manner in the middle of the park that gets the Suburb side ticking. If he plays well, Suburbs will perform too.
Hamilton Wanderers
Wanderers have been one of the form teams in the north since late May.
In their last 13 league and cup games, they have lost only twice — to champions Auckland City and high-flying Auckland United — and they have a habit of finding goals when they most need them.
Winning on the road holds no fears for the Blue Army as they beat Eastern Suburbs 2-1 at Madills Farm in April.
They also had the upper hand in the reverse fixture at Porritt Stadium in June when Wanderers won 2-0.
Wanderers have found form at the right time as they are also making a late run for a top four spot in the Northern League, earning them a place in the National League.
If winning is all about momentum, Wanderers are in the right place at the right time.
Key player: Captain and striker Derek Tieku (27) will lead Wanderers against his former club. With 16 goals, he leads the Northern League’s Golden Boot and has five more goals than his nearest rival.
Cup credentials
Eastern Suburbs are one of New Zealand football’s aristocrats, having won the Chatham Cup six times, though only once this century (2015).
Hamilton Wanderers have never won a national trophy in their 109-year history.
How they got to the semi-finals
Eastern Suburbs
Prelim: Bye
R1: Bye
R2: Beat Mt Albert Ponsonby 3-0 (away)
R3: Beat Fencibles United on pens after 2-2 (away)
R4: Beat Birkenhead United 2-0 (away)
QF: Beat Waiheke United 1-0 (away)
Hamilton Wanderers
Prelim: Bye
R1: Bye
R2: Beat Takapuna 1-0 (home)
R3: Beat Papamoa 3-0 (away)
R4: Beat Auckland United on pens after 0-0 (away)
QF: Beat Miramar Rangers 4-3 (away)
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