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Sport Nation
Men's National League: Auckland City FC remain team to beat this season
Riccardo Ball • September 26th, 2025 9:07 am
Auckland City FC | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
The Dettol Men's National League kicks off this weekend with 11 teams, including Auckland FC's reserve side for the first time ever.
The newcomers to the league will be joined by first time regional champions, Western Springs from the Northern League and Coastal Spirit from the Southern League, as well as Wellington Olympic who have topped the Central Division for the 5th straight year.
Auckland City FC will be the team to beat again. The 10-time National League Champions are coming off a lucrative trip to the FIFA Club World Cup where they secured a draw with Argentinian giants Boca Juniors and miss the opening round of the league after having played Pyramids FC of Egypt in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Birkenhead United, who finished top of last year's National League table, and Auckland United round out the representation from the North League.
The Wellington Phoenix Reserves qualify automatically, as do their Auckland counterparts, but come into the league off the back of a consistent regional season after losing several players from last season to their senior side.
Western Suburbs and traditional Capital heavyweights Miramar Rangers also qualify.
Christchurch United, six-time National League champions, are the second qualifiers from the Southern League and will be looking to improve on their 3rd place finish from 2023 and remind neighbours, Coastal Spirit, who the big dogs are in the Southern region.
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