The New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC) playoffs roar into action this weekend with Canterbury United tackling the reigning champions Auckland City in Christchurch while Wellington and Waitakere United re-ignite their rivalry at Newtown Park in the capital.
The ties will be played on a home-and-away basis, and underdogs Canterbury and Wellington will need to make the most of home advantage before the Auckland-based return legs scheduled for April 10 and 11.
Away goals could decide the winner if the aggregate scores are tied so the first legs could be tense and tight affairs.
Waitakere received the perfect play-off boost after ending Auckland City's O-League run.
To eliminate the west Aucklanders, Wellington will need every ounce of the late season form that has seen them edge Otago United out of the semifinals.
Waitakere have beaten Wellington on all three occasions they met in past playoffs, but will want to forget their last visit to the capital when they lost 3-4.
Auckland City finished the regular season as NZFC minor premiers with one match to spare but suffered O-League elimination last weekend at the hands of Waitakere so will be in ruthless mood with the NZFC title their one remaining opportunity for silverware this season.
Auckland begin a long weekend of football with a catch-up showdown with Manawatu on Friday.
With two games in three days, Auckland have drafted in seven new players for Friday's clash with Manawatu, with all eyes firmly focussed on the semifinal first leg in Christchurch on Monday.
Veteran striker Grant Young is selected for the Manawatu match and could be in line for his 100th NZFC career appearance.
A win or draw for Auckland would see them become the first team to complete an unbeaten NZFC regular season, but that will count for little to Paul Posa's team if they come unstuck in Christchurch.
This time last season, Canterbury fans were reflecting upon a second consecutive eighth place finish in the NZFC.
Coach Keith Braithwaite has turned his team around and they are just two matches away from their first grand final since the 2005-06 season when they lost 4-3 on penalties to Auckland City.
