The great improvers during the ISPS Handa Premiership season have been Canterbury United, who were languishing in the bottom three early on before embarking on a seven-match unbeaten run in the new year to force themselves into the playoffs. But that will count for little if they can’t go on and complete the job by booking a first appearance in the grand final for eight seasons.

Standing in their way is the imposing obstacle of Team Wellington, who will enjoy home advantage in Sunday’s semi-final at David Farrington Park and will go in as warm favourites for an additional couple of reasons. Jose Figueira’s side are the defending champions, finished behind only fellow semi-finalists Auckland City on the ladder and are looking to become just the third club in the competition’s history to earn three consecutive titles.

This season’s results between the pair also point to Wellington being the more likely victors on Sunday with the men from the capital beating Canterbury 2-0 in Christchurch before having the better of the game in a scoreless draw on home soil just a fortnight ago.

But Canterbury’s veteran defender Dan Terris – now in his 37^th year and having played over 150 matches for his beloved Dragons – is not intimidated by Wellington’s exploits and says the visitors will be focusing on their own performance.

“We won’t approach it any differently – we prepare for every game in a similar way,” he says. “Obviously, it’s a big week for us and we’re pretty excited for it but our preparation is always good so I think we’ll just continue with that formula.”

Both sides were made to work very hard for their respective victories in the final round of the regular season last weekend, each having to strike late to earn the points. Canterbury launched a last-gasp comeback to defeat Eastern Suburbs 2-1 on the road and that nearly secured them a home semi-final when Wellington went into the dying stages of their home clash with wooden spooners Hamilton Wanderers locked at 2-2.

But Andy Bevin then popped up with an opportune winner, forcing the Dragons to head north to the capital on Sunday. Wellington were expected to brush Hamilton – who had won just once all season – aside with far greater ease but Terris does not believe the tight nature of that contest will have sapped any of their confidence.

“You get games like that in the season – I think most people expected Team Wellington to come through that one comfortably but obviously it was a bit of a battle,” he says. “But I don’t think it will affect them too much, I think they’ll come into this game like we will. It’s a big game so I’m sure they’ll prepare really well too and I’m not too sure their last game will have too much of an effect.”

Having a greater impact is likely to be the absence of captain Justin Gulley, who is not available to Team Wellington after receiving a late call-up to join the All Whites camp in Spain, where the national side is set to take on Canada in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“A player like that is always a bit of a loss, especially when it’s your captain,” Terris says. “But they have a big squad to choose from and I’m sure they’ll put someone else out on the pitch who’s more than capable of doing a job so we can’t afford really to look at that – we’ll just focus on ourselves and, whatever issues they have, it’s their job to deal with them.”

Wellington coach Figueira – who is also a freshly-appointed assistant to new All Whites boss Fritz Schmid but was excused from attending the Spain camp due to the semi-final – is philosophical at not having the services of his inspirational skipper.

"It’s that cliché of it being bittersweet – we’re obviously proud and delighted Justin is part of that environment,” he says. “I think it’s great for the league to see these guys just getting looked at and seeing if they can make a mark for the national team.”

Figueira felt his side were at their best in that semi-final dress rehearsal against the Dragons a fortnight ago and would have taken the points were it not for the outstanding showing of Canterbury goalkeeper Coey Turipa.

“It was probably one of our best football displays of the season. We just didn’t get the rub of the green, hit the woodwork and Coey had an inspired day.”

Both sides have only been beaten once since the turn of the year and Terris says Canterbury will draw inspiration from their improved showing in the second half of the season.

“It means a little bit in terms of allowing us to get some confidence,” he says. “Winning is a habit and we obviously want to continue that. It doesn’t give you any guarantees but it certainly helps in terms of belief amongst the boys.”

The other semi-final takes place on Saturday with minor premiers Auckland City hosting fellow Aucklanders Eastern Suburbs at Kiwitea Street from 2pm. The respective winners will progress to the final, set to be staged at QBE Stadium in Auckland on April 1.

ISPS Handa Premiership Semi-Final

Team Wellington vs Canterbury United
David Farrington Park, Wellington
Sunday 25 March, 2pm
#ISPSHandaPrem #TWvCU
Live on SKY Sport

Referee: N Waldron
Assistant Referees: G Sheehan, E Cook
4^th Official: P Linney

Team Wellington: 1.Scott Basalaj (GK), 3. Scott Hilliar, 4. Mario Ilich, 5. Liam Wood, 6. Taylor Schrijvers, 7. Eric Molloy, 10. Nati Hailemariam, 11. Mario Barcia, 12. Andy Bevin (c), 13. Roy Kayara, 14. Jack-Henry Sinclair, 16. Angus Kilkolly, 19. Ross Allen, 20. Daniel Mulholland, 21. Hamish Watson, 22. Marcel Kampman (GK)

Coach: Jose Figueira

Canterbury United Dragons: 1. Coey Turipa (GK), 2. Dan Terris, 3. Aaron Spain, 5. Tom Schwarz, 6. Gary Ogilvie (c), 8. Luke Tongue, 9. James Pendrigh, 10. Futa Nakamura, 12. George King, 13. Lewis Gordon (GK), 14. Sean Liddicoat, 16. Cory Mitchell, 17. Stephen Hoyle, 19. Francis de Vries, 30. Seth Clark, 31. Jacob Richards

Coach: Willy Gerdsen