YoungHeart Manawatu has ended Auckland City's hopes of completing the New Zealand Football Championship season unbeaten, defeating the minor premiers 4-1.
Manawatu's goals included a brace by Vanuatu international striker Seule Soromon, lifting the team into sixth place and clinching the saw NZFC Golden Boot outright for Soromon.
Soromon has scored 11 goals in 12 games.
The 4-1 result is the biggest-ever NZFC loss for the Aucklanders, who, with the first leg of the semi-finals just two days away, had put up a youthful team against Manawatu.
One who took his chance to impress was 15-year-old Tim Payne, the youngest player ever to start an NZFC match for the club, and thanks to his 55th minute equaliser also Auckland City's youngest ever goalscorer.
Auckland City will play Canterbury United in the semi-final first leg match at English Park on Sunday afternoon.
Auckland coach Paul Posa will recall All Whites midfielder Chad Coombes, Ki-Hyung Lee, Jason Hayne, Matt Williams, Ian Hogg, James Pritchett, Adam Dickinson, Greg Uhlmann and Daniel Koprivcic to his line-up as the club seeks its fifth Grand Final berth.
Team Wellington host Waitakere United at Newtown Park in the other match.
