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The 2020–21 New Zealand Football Championship season (currently known as the ISPS Handa Men's Premiership for sponsorship reasons) was the seventeenth and final season of the NZFC since its establishment in 2004. Eight teams compete in the competition with Auckland City and Team Wellington representing the ISPS Handa Men's Premiership in the 2021 OFC Champions League after Auckland City finished Premiers, with Team Wellington finishing regular season runners-up in the 2019–20 competition, after the remainder of the competition was cancelled mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand.[1] The change from ten teams to eight teams was due to Tasman United and Southern United joining Canterbury United to form a united South Island team, playing under the Canterbury United name.[2] Auckland City won the league with a game in hand, taking top spot for their 12th premiership.[3]
| Season | 2020–21 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Team Wellington |
| Premiers | Auckland City |
| Matches played | 56 |
| Goals scored | 186 (3.32 per match) |
| Best Player | Alex Paulsen (Wellington Phoenix) |
| Top goalscorer | Hamish Watson (12) (Team Wellington) |
| Biggest home win | Eastern Suburbs 8–0 Wellington Phoenix (31 January 2021) |
| Biggest away win | Canterbury United 0–4 Waitakere United (14 November 2020) Wellington Phoenix 0–4 Eastern Suburbs (28 November 2020) Hamilton Wanderers 0–4 Auckland City (31 January 2021) |
| Highest scoring | Eastern Suburbs 8–0 Wellington Phoenix (31 January 2021) |
← 2019–20
All statistics correct as of 21 March 2021.Steve Sumner Trophy - Andy Bevin (Team Wellington) | |
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity | Manager | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland City | Auckland | Kiwitea Street | 3,250 |  José Figueira[4] | Dynasty Sport[5] | Vuksich & Borich, Trillian Trust Inc |
| Canterbury United | Christchurch | English Park | 9,000 | Lee Padmore[6] | Nike | McDonald's |
| Eastern Suburbs | Auckland | Madills Farm | 1,000 | Tony Readings[7][8] | Lilywhites | Winger Motors |
| Hamilton Wanderers | Hamilton | Porritt Stadium | 5,000 |  Kale Herbert[9] | Dynasty Sport[10] | The Soccer Shop |
| Hawke's Bay United | Napier | Bluewater Stadium | 5,000 | Chris Greatholder Bill Robertson[11] | Adidas | Thirsty Whale |
| Team Wellington | Wellington | David Farrington Park | 2,250 | Scott Hales[12] | Nike | Stonewood Homes |
| Waitakere United | Auckland | Seddon Fields | 1,000 | Chris Milicich | Lotto Sport Italia | Triumph Motorcycles |
| Wellington Phoenix | Lower Hutt | Fraser Park | 750 | Paul Temple[13] | Adidas | Huawei |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auckland City | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 27 | 13 | +14 | 28 | Qualification to Champions League group stage and Finals series |
| 2 | Team Wellington (C) | 14 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 35 | 21 | +14 | 26 | Qualification to Finals series and disbanded at end of season |
| 3 | Hamilton Wanderers | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 23 | 21 | +2 | 20 | Qualification to Finals series |
| 4 | Eastern Suburbs | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 25 | 23 | +2 | 19 | |
| 5 | Waitakere United | 14 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 28 | 26 | +2 | 18 | Disbanded at end of season |
| 6 | Canterbury United | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 21 | 24 | −3 | 18 | |
| 7 | Hawke's Bay United | 14 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 17 | 29 | −12 | 13 | |
| 8 | Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 14 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 37 | −19 | 10 |
Positions by round
| Team ╲ Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland City | 3 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Canterbury United | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Eastern Suburbs | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Hamilton Wanderers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Hawke's Bay United | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Team Wellington | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Waitakere United | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Source: NZ Football
= Leader and qualification to OFC Champions League Group stage; = Qualification to Finals series
= Leader and qualification to OFC Champions League Group stage; = Qualification to Finals series
Fixtures and results
The season was scheduled to be played on a home and away basis between 14 November 2020 and 28 February 2021, with the finals series being played in March 2021.[14] On 27 February 2021 it was announced that the game between Hawkes Bay United and Eastern Suburbs for Round 14 had been delayed because of a COVID-19 outbreak that resulted in the Auckland region moving to Level 3 and the rest of the country changing to Level 2.[15] New Zealand Football announced that the game was to be rescheduled to be played as a midweek fixture sometime between 8–12 March but is dependent on the Alert Levels coming down.[16] It was also announced that if the restrictions in Auckland remained, then the game would be cancelled and classed as a draw with both clubs sharing the points. If that was to happen, then the final top four teams for the semi-finals would be Auckland City, Team Wellington, Hamilton Wanderers and Waitakere United.[16] This potentially could cause more issues, as two of the teams (Auckland City and Waitakere United) are based in the Auckland region so was also advised that in the event that the restrictions where still in place when the semi-finals where due to be played, then the competition would proceed to a straight final to be played between the two clubs that where top of the league at the end of the season.[16] This would then see Auckland City and Team Wellington play the final, scheduled to be played on 21 March.[16] With the restrictions in Auckland being lowered, the game was rescheduled and played on Wednesday 10 March 2021. The result of the game decided on who finished fourth and faced Auckland City for the second Semi-final.[17]
Results table
| Home \ Away | AC | CU | ES | HW | HB | TW | WU | WP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland City | — | 2–0 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–1 |
| Canterbury United | 1–0 | — | 1–0 | 2–3 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 5–1 |
| Eastern Suburbs | 1–1 | 3–1 | — | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 8–0 |
| Hamilton Wanderers | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | — | 1–4 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 |
| Hawke's Bay United | 0–4 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 0–3 | — | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–2 |
| Team Wellington | 2–2 | 3–1 | 7–0 | 3–2 | 2–1 | — | 3–4 | 5–2 |
| Waitakere United | 0–3 | 3–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | — | 1–4 |
| Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 3–0 | 0–1 | 1–1 | — |
- All times are in New Zealand Time.
Round 1
| 14 November 2020 | Canterbury United | 0–4 | Waitakere United | Christchurch |
| 14:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: English Park Referee: Chris Bennett |
| 14 November 2020 | Wellington Phoenix | 0–1 | Team Wellington | Lower Hutt |
| 14:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Fraser Park Referee: Calvin-Kei Berg |
| 15 November 2020 | Hawke's Bay United | 0–3 | Hamilton Wanderers | Napier |
| 14:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Bluewater Stadium Referee: John Rowbury |
| 15 November 2020 | Auckland City | 1–0 | Eastern Suburbs | Auckland |
| 16:00 | Report | Stadium: Kiwitea Street Referee: Matt Conger |
Round 2
| 21 November 2020 | Team Wellington | 2–1 | Hawke's Bay United | Wellington |
| 13:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: David Farrington Park Referee: Matt Conger |
| 21 November 2020 | Waitakere United | 1–4 | Wellington Phoenix | Auckland |
| 13:30 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Seddon Fields Referee: Ben O'Connell |
| 22 November 2020 | Hamilton Wanderers | 2–0 | Auckland City | Hamilton |
| 14:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Porritt Stadium Referee: Luke Gardner |
| 22 November 2020 | Eastern Suburbs | 3–1 | Canterbury United | Auckland |
| 16:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Madills Farm Referee: John Rowbury |
Round 3
| 28 November 2020 | Wellington Phoenix | 0–4 | Eastern Suburbs | Lower Hutt |
| 13:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Fraser Park Referee: Chris Bennett |
| 28 November 2020 | Waitakere United | 2–2 | Team Wellington | Auckland |
| 13:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Seddon Fields Referee: John Rowbury |
| 29 November 2020 | Auckland City | 2–1 | Hawke's Bay United | Auckland |
| 14:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Kiwitea Street Referee: Ben O'Connell |
| 29 November 2020 | Canterbury United | 2–3 | Hamilton Wanderers | Christchurch |
| 16:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: English Park Referee: Matt Conger |
Round 4
| 6 December 2020 | Hamilton Wanderers | 1–1 | Wellington Phoenix | Hamilton |
| 13:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Porritt Stadium Referee: Nick Waldron |
| 6 December 2020 | Hawke's Bay United | 0–3 | Canterbury United | Napier |
| 13:30 | Report |
|
Stadium: Bluewater Stadium Referee: Chris Bennett |
| 6 December 2020 | Eastern Suburbs | 2–2 | Waitakere United | Auckland |
| 16:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Madills Farm Referee: Calvin Berg |
| 6 December 2020 | Team Wellington | 2–2 | Auckland City | Wellington |
| 16:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: David Farrington Park Referee: John Rowbury |
Round 5
| 12 December 2020 | Wellington Phoenix | 3–0 | Hawke's Bay United | Lower Hutt |
| 14:00 | Report | Stadium: Fraser Park Referee: Ben O'Connell |
| 12 December 2020 | Waitakere United | 1–1 | Hamilton Wanderers | Auckland |
| 15:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Seddon Fields Referee: Matt Conger |
| 13 December 2020 | Eastern Suburbs | 1–1 | Team Wellington | Auckland |
| 15:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Madills Farm Referee: Nick Waldron |
| 13 December 2020 | Canterbury United | 1–0 | Auckland City | Christchurch |
| 16:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: English Park Referee: Calvin Berg |
Round 6
| 19 December 2020 | Auckland City | 4–1 | Wellington Phoenix | Auckland |
| 13:30 | Report |
|
Stadium: Kiwitea Street Referee: John Rowbury |
| 19 December 2020 | Team Wellington | 3–1 | Canterbury United | Wellington |
| 14:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: David Farrington Park Referee: Matt Conger |
| 20 December 2020 | Hawke's Bay United | 2–0 | Waitakere United | Napier |
| 13:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Bluewater Stadium Referee: Nick Waldron |
| 20 December 2020 | Hamilton Wanderers | 1–2 | Eastern Suburbs | Hamilton |
| 16:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Porritt Stadium Referee: Calvin Berg |
Round 7
| 9 January 2021 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–1 | Canterbury United | Lower Hutt |
| 14:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Fraser Park Referee: Calvin Berg |
| 10 January 2021 | Hamilton Wanderers | 1–1 | Team Wellington | Hamilton |
| 14:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Porritt Stadium Referee: Nick Waldron |
| 10 January 2021 | Eastern Suburbs | 1–2 | Hawke's Bay United | Auckland |
| 15:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Madills Farm Referee: John Rowbury |
| 10 January 2021 | Waitakere United | 0–3 | Auckland City | Auckland |
| 16:00 | Report | Stadium: Seddon Fields Referee: Matt Conger |
Round 8
| 16 January 2021 | Auckland City | 2–1 | Hamilton Wanderers | Auckland |
| 14:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Kiwitea Street Referee: Calvin Berg |
| 16 January 2021 | Canterbury United | 1–0 | Eastern Suburbs | Christchurch |
| 15:30 |
|
Report | Stadium: English Park Referee: Nick Waldron |
| 17 January 2021 | Hawke's Bay United | 2–2 | Team Wellington | Napier |
| 13:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Bluewater Stadium Referee: Matt Conger |
| 17 January 2021 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–1 | Waitakere United | Lower Hutt |
| 16:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Fraser Park Referee: John Rowbury |
Round 9
| 23 January 2021 | Waitakere United | 3–3 | Canterbury United | Auckland |
| 15:30 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Seddon Fields Referee: Matt Conger |
| 24 January 2021 | Hamilton Wanderers | 1–4 | Hawke's Bay United | Hamilton |
| 14:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Porritt Stadium Referee: Nick Waldron |
| 24 January 2021 | Eastern Suburbs | 1–1 | Auckland City | Auckland |
| 16:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Madills Farm Referee: Calvin Berg |
| 24 January 2021 | Team Wellington | 5–2 | Wellington Phoenix | Wellington |
| 16:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: David Farrington Park Referee: Ben O'Connell |
Round 10
| 30 January 2021 | Team Wellington | 3–4 | Waitakere United | Wellington |
| 13:00 | Report | Stadium: David Farrington Park Referee: Ben O'Connell |
| 31 January 2021 | Hamilton Wanderers | 1–1 | Canterbury United | Hamilton |
| 13:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Porritt Stadium Referee: John Rowbury |
| 31 January 2021 | Hawke's Bay United | 0–4 | Auckland City | Napier |
| 14:00 | Report | Stadium: Bluewater Stadium Referee: Calvin Berg |
| 31 January 2021 | Eastern Suburbs | 8–0 | Wellington Phoenix | Auckland |
| 16:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Madills Farm Referee: Nick Waldron |
Round 11
| 6 February 2021 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–2 | Hamilton Wanderers | Lower Hutt |
| 11:30 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Fraser Park Referee: Chris Bennett |
| 6 February 2021 | Waitakere United | 4–0 | Eastern Suburbs | Auckland |
| 14:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Seddon Fields Referee: Calvin Berg |
| 6 February 2021 | Canterbury United | 2–1 | Hawke's Bay United | Christchurch |
| 16:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: English Park Referee: Ben O'Connell |
| 7 February 2021 | Auckland City | 3–1 | Team Wellington | Auckland |
| 16:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Kiwitea Street Referee: Matt Conger |
Round 12
| 13 February 2021 | Team Wellington | 7–0 | Eastern Suburbs | Wellington |
| 13:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: David Farrington Park Referee: Ben O'Connell |
| 14 February 2021 | Hawke's Bay United | 3–2 | Wellington Phoenix | Napier |
| 13:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Bluewater Stadium Referee: Luke Gardner |
| 14 February 2021 | Auckland City | 2–0 | Canterbury United | Auckland |
| 14:00 | Report | Stadium: Kiwitea Street Referee: John Rowbury |
| 14 February 2021 | Hamilton Wanderers | 3–2 | Waitakere United | Hamilton |
| 16:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Porritt Stadium Referee: Nick Waldron |
Round 13
| 20 February 2021 | Canterbury United | 0–2 | Team Wellington | Christchurch |
| 14:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: English Park Referee: Calvin Berg |
| 20 February 2021 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–1 | Auckland City | Lower Hutt |
| 14:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Fraser Park Referee: Ben O'Connell |
| 21 February 2021 | Eastern Suburbs | 1–1 | Hamilton Wanderers | Auckland |
| 16:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Madills Farm Referee: Nick Waldron |
| 21 February 2021 | Waitakere United | 2–0 | Hawke's Bay United | Auckland |
| 16:00 | Report | Stadium: Seddon Fields Referee: Chris Bennett |
Round 14
| 27 February 2021 | Team Wellington | 3–2 | Hamilton Wanderers | Wellington |
| 13:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: David Farrington Park Referee: Matt Conger |
| 27 February 2021 | Canterbury United | 5-1 | Wellington Phoenix | Christchurch |
| 14:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: English Park Referee: Nick Waldron |
| 27 February 2021 | Auckland City | 2-2 | Waitakere United | Auckland |
| 15:00 | Report |
 90+2' |
Stadium: Kiwitea Street Referee: Calvin Berg |
| 10 March 2021 | Hawke's Bay United | 1–2 | Eastern Suburbs | Napier |
| 16:15 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Bluewater Stadium Referee: John Rowbury |
Semi-finals
| 13 March 2021 | Team Wellington | 4–1 | Hamilton Wanderers | Wellington |
| 14:05 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: David Farrington Park Referee: Calvin Berg |
| 14 March 2021 | Auckland City | 2–1 | Eastern Suburbs | Auckland |
| 14:05 | Report |
|
Stadium: Kiwitea Street Referee: Nick Waldron |
Grand final
     Auckland City |
Team Wellington
|
|
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|
Steve Sumner Trophy:
|
- As of 28 February 2021
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derek Tieku | Hamilton Wanderers | 12 |
| Hamish Watson† | Team Wellington | ||
| 3 | Logan Rogerson | Auckland City | 8 |
| Sam Mason-Smith | Team Wellington | ||
| 5 | Riley Bidois | Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 6 |
| Garbhan Coughlan | Canterbury United | ||
| Ryan Feutz | Eastern Suburbs | ||
| Alex Grieve | Waitakere United | ||
| 9 | Jorge Akers | Hawke's Bay United | 5 |
| Andy Bevin | Team Wellington | ||
| Gerard Garriga | Waitakere United | ||
| Dylan Manickum | Auckland City | ||
| Adam Thurston | Eastern Suburbs | ||
† Due to reaching 12 goals in less games, Hamish Watson was awarded the Golden Boot at the Grand finals.[18]
Hat-tricks
| Round | Player | For | Against | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10[19] | Hamish Watson | Team Wellington | Waitakere United | 3–4 | 30 January 2021 |
| 10[20] | Ryan Feutz | Eastern Suburbs | Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 8–0 | 31 January 2021 |
| 12[21] | Hamish Watson | Team Wellington | Eastern Suburbs | 7–0 | 13 February 2021 |
| 12[22] | Derek Tieku | Hamilton Wanderers | Waitakere United | 3–2 | 14 February 2021 |
| 14[23] | Sam Mason-Smith | Team Wellington | Hamilton Wanderers | 3–2 | 27 February 2021 |
| 14[23] | Garbhan Coughlan | Canterbury United | Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 5–1 | 27 February 2021 |
Own goals
| Round | Player | Club | Against |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2[24] | Shuiab Khan | Waitakere United | Wellington Phoenix Reserves |
| 7[25] | Finn Surman | Wellington Phoenix Reserves | Canterbury United |
| 8[26] | Joseph Harris | Hamilton Wanderers | Auckland City |
| 9[27] | Adam Mitchell | Auckland City | Eastern Suburbs |
| 9[27] | Finn Surman | Wellington Phoenix Reserves | Team Wellington |
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