Today's the day football in Aotearoa New Zealand has been waiting for.

Covid-19 might have conspired to first cancel the 2020 Chatham Cup, and then delay the conclusion of the 2021 edition to 2022, but today is the day we’ve all been anticipating, as Southern League winners Cashmere Technical take on South-Central Series champions Miramar Rangers in the Chatham Cup final.

Both previous winners, neither side is a stranger to the occasion. Cashmere Technical last won in 2013 and 2014 (while in 1948 Christchurch Technical, one of the clubs to ultimately form Cashmere Technical, was also crowned winners), and Miramar Rangers, meanwhile, most recently won Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest cup competition in 2010, having previously lifted the trophy in 2004, 1992 and 1966.

Routes to the final

Cashmere Technical began their Chatham Cup campaign in style in Round One, beating Parklands United 8-0, with talismanic forward Garbhan Coughlan netting five times. The next round saw them cast Selwyn United aside 4-0, while they continued to pile in the goals in Round Three with a 7-3 defeat of Nelson Suburbs FC. Their Round Four 3-0 defeat of Christchurch United secured passage to the quarter finals, where they comfortably dealt with Hamilton Wanderers 4-0. Their closest game of the competition came in their semi-final against Western Suburbs back in October, where Yuya Taguchi secured Cashmere Technical’s final spot with his 88^th minute finish.

Top goalscorer for the 2021 Chatham Cup: Garbhan Coughlan, 10

Miramar Rangers entered the fray in Round Two, hosting Havelock North Wanderers at David Farrington Park and despatching them 5-0. Round Three saw them head off North Wellington 4-1, and then comfortably dispatch Central League rivals Lower Hutt City by the same margin, with Samuel Mason-Smith netting a hat trick in the process. The quarter finals set up a mouth-watering tie with Auckland City FC, who had entered the Chatham Cup for the first time, Miramar winning 2-0. After their semi-final was delayed to 2022 due to the lockdown, Miramar were then guaranteed a spot in the final when fellow semi-finalists North Shore United withdrew from the competition.

Top goalscorer for the 2021 Chatham Cup: Samuel Mason-Smith, 4

Who will be the first club in the 2020s to have their name carved into the Chatham Cup? We’ll find out this afternoon.

How to watch

Cashmere Technical vs Miramar Rangers. Kick-off 2pm, Jerry Collins Stadium. Watch live and for free on Sky Sport Next

Article added: Friday 04 March 2022