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Every point is becoming crucial in this year’s national football premiership.
That is not working in Southern United’s favour right now, although there is still a long way to go.
At the league’s Christmas break — after eight games — it is in eighth place on eight points.
Had it not been deducted three points following a protest from Tasman United it would be fourth on 11.
Southern had won that match 4-0, but was deemed to have played an ineligible player and the result was changed to a 3-0 loss.
The club has appealed the decision.
In a league as tight as this, the impact of that will be magnified.
Just five points separate Hawke’s Bay United in third (12 points) and Tasman in last (seven points).
Wins have proven hard to come by across the league.
Only the top two teams, Auckland City and Team Wellington, have won half or more of their games.
The majority of teams have two wins and a handful of draws.
Had Southern kept its result against Tasman, that would have elevated it to three wins.
Despite that congested nature of the league, a top two is emerging.
Auckland City is clear in first place on 18 points and five wins, although has been held to scoreless draws the past two weeks.
Team Wellington, which has four wins, follows on 15 points.
Hawke’s Bay (12) and Eastern Suburbs (10) round out the top four.
Canterbury United, Waitakere United and Hamilton Wanderers are all close behind on nine points, the latter two with a game in hand.
Southern is one more point back, and one ahead of the Wellington Phoenix Reserves and Tasman.
The first full round of matches will be completed on January 11 and Southern is yet to play the Phoenix, a game from which it will be hoping to pick up points
Another round of nine games will follow before the playoffs in April.
Football premiership
Points table
Auckland City: 18
Team Wellington: 15
Hawke’s Bay United: 12
Eastern Suburbs: 10
Waitakere United: 9
Canterbury United: 9
Hamilton Wanderers: 9
Southern United: 8
Wellington Phoenix Res: 7
Tasman United: 7