Canty soccer's Great Redeemer | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

Canterbury United are hoping for a fairytale finish to the season when they meet Waitakere in the NZFC final in Auckland on Saturday.

In one summer coach Keith Braithwaite has engineered a remarkable transformation in not only the Dragons’ fortunes, but also burnished the sport’s faded reputation here.

Last year Canterbury finished bottom of the NZFC for the second season, and in June announced they were withdrawing from the league.

Fortunately they about-faced, and Braithwaite, who enjoyed almost nothing but success in his own playing days with Christchurch United where he was one of the country’s most feared marksmen, was grabbed as coach on the eve of the season.

Braithwaite’s been a champion coach in the Mainland league with Nomads (twice) and Technical.

He’s brought many things to the Dragons – but most importantly a winning mentality.

After stunning minor premiers Auckland 3-0 away in the second leg of the semis, they will return to Auckland full of confidence for another upset.

And if they do it will bring international club soccer competition to Christchurch for the first time with a place in the Oceania League – and the glittering prize of a place in the world club finals if they win that.

Braithwaite promised to put some pride back in Canterbury soccer – and he’s delivered. As well as reaching the NZFC final, Canterbury won the national youth league final last week.

What worked the miracle?

Braithwaite said when he was appointed he spoke to some players like Gareth Rowe and Glen Collins who hadn’t played for a while.

"So we blended youth and experience, and we have a happy camp, a motivated camp," he said. "We’re one happy family!"

He’d built on what he learned in his Christchurch United days from Ian Marshall and Martin Stewart, he said.

"Our work rate and our camaraderie on and off the field have been outstanding," he said. "And the guys have worked their socks off this year."

Alan Walker’s youth team, which – hopefully prophetically – beat Waitakere 6-0 in its final last week, trains the same night as the NZFC team, and Braithwaite often pulls some of its players into his squad to work.

Occasions like this final were what you coached for, said Braithwaite.

"I’d no intention of coaching summer league football and came in at the last minute. Six or seven years ago I applied for the job and didn’t get it!"

While Braithwaite stresses the team aspect, under his guidance some individuals have played out of their skins, notably Aaron Clapham.

Braithwaite talked him into putting off a return to Melbourne, pointing out he’d showcase himself better in the NZFC. The result has been an All Whites squad call-up this month – and a shot at going to the World Cup finals.

"He could go to the biggest competition in the world – and he thoroughly deserves it," said Braithwaite, who is also quick to stress the contribution of players like Russell Kamo, Tom Lancaster, Tom Batty, and Gareth Rowe.

Canterbury lost 0-1 to Waitakere away in the first match of the season, but beat them 4-0 here, and winning the final would require shutting down their former Canterbury striker Brent Fisher and two speedsters on the flanks, he said.

"They’re a good side, but on our day we are capable of beating any team," he said.

Waitakere are reeling from a 0-3 away loss to Papua New Guinea side Hekari in last weekend’s O-League final first leg, but that was likely to make them more determined so that they secured a spot in next season’s league, he warned. They are unbeaten at home this season.