Wellington was not a happy hunting ground for Otago football teams which suffered heavy defeats there at the weekend.
The Footballsouth national women's youth team continued its Jeckyl and Hyde form by roaring to an early two-goal lead within minutes of starting, then collapsing in the second half.
Against the reigning champion, goals to Mary Fraser and Shontelle Smith (2) produced a 3-1 halftime scoreline that must have delighted Otago coach Nick Rzepecky.
But as it did last week, Footballsouth relinquished its lead when Capital produced a second-half avalanche of seven goals, and there will be much soul-searching this week to find the flaws that allow opposition sides to bounce back.
To have achieved a 3-0 lead away from home against the reigning champion should ensure a successful match, but Wellington striker Renee Leota's goal just before halftime, then Terri-Amber Carlson's 46th-minute goal immediately after the break caused a devastating slide and eventual 8-3 finish.
The Otago United under-18 team in the ASB Youth League also had a major collapse in its first match of the season.
Tony Martin's team was beaten 9-1 by a slick Capital Football side that did not take its foot off the pedal. Otago's goal was scored by Matt Webb.
"We were going well for 20 minutes, then players started to try passes that were never on, and we were punished by Capital which is a very sharp side," Martin said.
"Having said that, we did have some good consistent performers, and Joel Stevens and Nick Hindson played really well.
"The boys have been training hard in Dunedin, but lacked suitable warm-up matches to prepare for teams that are battle hardened in major population centres further north."
The side's next match is against Youngheart Manawatu on Saturday at Tahuna Park, and the senior Otago side plays Waitakere at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Sunday at 2 pm.
