2024 Charity Cup


The 2024 Charity Cup was the 20th Charity Cup, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's New Zealand National League and Chatham Cup competitions. It took place at Martin Luckie Park on 3 March 2024. This was the first edition since the introduction of the National League in 2021. As the home side, Wellington Olympic selected Heart Kids New Zealand as their charity.
Wellington Olympic won the game 3–0 winning their first Charity Cup. Christchurch United lost for their second time since the inaugural NZFA Challenge Trophy in 1978.
The match was live streamed for free on FIFA+ and New Zealand Football's YouTube channel.
Auckland City were the defending champions, but they did not qualify for this edition, having failed to win either the National League or Chatham Cup.

Background

Wellington Olympic qualified for the 2024 Charity Cup as winners of the 2023 National League, beating Auckland City in the final. As winners of the National League, Wellington Olympic were assigned as the home team.
Christchurch United were the first side to qualify after winning the Chatham Cup on penalties against Melville United to claim their record-equaling seventh title.

Match

Summary

In the 33rd minute Gavin Hoy headed the ball back across the box for Ben Mata to head Wellington Olympic into the lead. Hamish Watson doubled Wellington's lead in the 50th minute heading the ball past Steven van Dijk. Joel Coustrain sealed the game in the 75th minute with his first touch of the game. Matt Brazier was sent off in the 86th minute for an off the ball incident.

Details