A return to fortress Go Media for a battle between first versus third brought out the crowds on a sunny Saturday in Auckland.
And they were richly rewarded with a commanding performance and a 3-0 win thanks to first half goals from May, Pijnaker and Mata.
Head coach Steve Corica made a raft of changes for the encounter, some forced, some tactical. These included handing Max Mata and Jesse Randall their first starts in place of Liam Gillion and Neyder Moreno.
With Hiroki Sakai out due to a concussion, Callan Elliot started at right back. Jake Brimmer, out as a precaution due to a hamstring niggle, was replaced by Logan Rogerson. With both captain and vice-captain out, Tommy Smith took the armband for the day.
On the bench for the first time was new signing Marlee Fançois, joined by defender Codey Phoenix.
Auckland took a while to get going but grew into the half and began to look the more dangerous. Twenty minutes in, nice work down the left saw Randall test City ‘keeper Patrick Beach, the new look Auckland attacking line-up began to click, and suddenly we had a contest on our hands.
After 32 minutes, Auckland broke the deadlock and scored. Verstraete pressed City and nicked the ball in the middle, passed to Rogerson who then laid it off to Guillermo May. The Uruguayan took one touch and bang – a stunner from outside of the edge of the area flew in to the back of the net. 1-0 Auckland and they weren’t finished.
Eight minutes later, a header from Mata was tipped behind for corner. A dangerous de Vries delivery was then scrambled clear but only as far as Pijnaker. The defender stepped up and walloped it into the roof of the net, scoring his third goal of the season.
History repeated itself on the stroke of half time. Another dangerous header from Mata was tipped behind the post, another de Vries corner caused City all sorts of problems. But this time there was Mata to make it 3-0 and send the home crowd wild. Half-time came as a relief to City.
Ten minutes after the restart, Corica decided it was time for subs. Moreno replaced Mata and Gillion replaced Randall. Like for like changes ensured the Black Knights retained the same intensity.
This was now a side full of confidence, best demonstrated by Tommy Smith teasing the City attack with a couple of clever turns. What a difference a week makes.
The minutes ticked by. Auckland seemed content to let City enjoy a bit of possession and come at them but like a tide in retreat, they posed no real threat. After 73 minutes, Corica signalled more changes. Cam Howieson replaced Gallegos and Luis Toomey came on for Verstraete.
Auckland then had several half chances, including May, who narrowly missed out on the race to the ball, beaten by the on-rushing Beach. Moreno then almost scored an incredible 60-metre goal after noticing the ‘keeper off his line.
Fançois came on with ten minutes to go, replacing May. He too almost scored but his effort was smothered and held by the goalkeeper.
Auckland are once again top of the league and the Port sang it loud and proud, making sure all 14,000+ fans in the stadium knew it.
This was a great day for the fans, the team and the city. Pride was restored and Auckland march on. Next stop, Adelaide, for a mid-week fixture against the team now in second. The team then stay on in Australia to face Western Sydney Wanderers before returning to Auckland on February 1 for a game against Macarthur.
Tickets for that game can be purchased here. Come do it all again.
