Across our four meetings with the Phoenix, we’ve found the net 12 times. Off the back of another successful derby win, AFC fan Jonno Ross ranked them.
Only 11 of those goals can actually be ranked; one of them was an own goal gifted to us by Wellington. Appreciate the assist, but we’ll leave that one out of the conversation.
This ranking isn’t just about screamers into the top corner. It takes into account the significance of the moment, the match situation, and the overall quality of the finish. Now let’s get into it...
#11
Auckland FC 6 – 1 Wellington Phoenix | Derby #3
Round: 20 | 24/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Season
IT’S MINE, I TOUCHED IT LAST
Again, after a bit of pin ball in a clustered penalty area, Moreno latches on and leathers one. He wheels away in celebration, but so does Logan Rogerson. Truth is, it DID touch Rogerson before it hit the net, therefore the goal gets credited to him, despite not knowing much about it. He’s lucky it didn’t get given a handball, but we won’t go there!
#10
Auckland FC 6 – 1 Wellington Phoenix | Derby #3
Round: 20 | 24/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Season
“WELLINGTON ARE FALLING APART”
As AFC fans, there’s nothing better than hearing those words, especially when it’s a commentator yelling it out. A pinpoint cross from Moreno that found Rogerson unmarked, and he nodded the ball home with ease, and celebrated with his arms out nonchalantly to The Port. 3-0 up and completely cruising at this stage.
#09
Wellington Phoenix 1 – 2 Auckland FC | Derby #4
Round: 7 | 24/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Season
I’LL HAVE THAT, THANKS
This goal went largely undetected until the match was over and the official reports came out. The very definition of a poachers goal in football. Randall burst down the line, came one on one with the keeper, chipped the ball over him and into the net…or so it seemed.
The replay will show you that Cozzee got the slightest brush on the ball with his knee, right on the line. Zero issues with that, even though it could’ve been Randall’s goal. Cozzee would rather be safe than sorry, and it’s always nice to add to your tally for the season.
#08
Auckland FC 6 – 1 Wellington Phoenix | Derby #3
Round: 20 | 24/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Season
PINBALL
Neyder Moreno thought he’d take charge of a ball that couldn’t be taken control of, in his sides attacking 18 yard box. After a de Vries corner, the ball was touched 9 times in the box before Moreno decided to show someone how to connect with the ball.
He put his laces through the ball and it hit the net before the keeper could move. Not the prettiest of goals, but he got the result he wanted.
#07
Auckland FC 6 – 1 Wellington Phoenix | Derby #3
Round: 20 | 24/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Season
DEMOLITION DERBY
As if 5 wasn’t enough, we had to go and get another. Guillermo May and Jessie Randall thought they were on a training pitch, passing and moving around mannequins. A beautiful ‘prime Barcelona-esque’ goal with the tiki taka movement was too much to defend for Wellington, and Randall finished the move delicately, to make it six of the best, to send the fans home happy. Incredible day at the office.
#06
Wellington Phoenix 1 – 2 Auckland FC | Derby #4
Round: 7 | 24/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Season
SSHHHHH
The amount of people who gave this man stick was unbelievable. They said he wouldn’t score in the big games. Well, he’s silenced those critics. 28 seconds into his first ever derby, and he’s put it in the net, thanks to Jesse Randall’s assist.
He wheeled away in celebration, holding his ear to the crowd, as if to say “I can’t hear you”. Cozzee ended up with a double, but thought he won’t rub it in by scoring a hat trick. So he purposely missed a sitter of a header at the back post. Save some goals for next time, Cozzee.
#05
Auckland FC 6 – 1 Wellington Phoenix | Derby #3
Round: 20 | 24/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Season
NOT QUITE A HAT TRICK HERO
“Luke Brook-Smith plays it across his own penalty area…MORENOOOO! Hat trick hero!” Ahhh Piney’s commentary at it’s finest, however, he wasn’t to know that Rogerson was credited for Morenos goal that was mentioned earlier. In saying that, that was one hell of a strike to make it 4-1 at the time. The technique to keep the ball low whilst using that much power was phenomenal. Well earned ranking of the 5th best goal against the Phoenix.
#04
Auckland FC 6 – 1 Wellington Phoenix | Derby #3
Round: 20 | 24/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Season
HAT TRICK HERO
The first and only hat trick in AFC’s history. Sure, Logan didn’t know much about the goal, where Moreno shot and it deflected off Logan’s knee. But boy oh boy did he know about this one. Already 4-1 up in the 60th minute, but that wasn’t enough.
The ball drops to his feet, Phoenix defence were clearly asking him to shoot, so shoot he did. A 30 yard bullet the keeper couldn’t get anywhere near. Don’t even worry about diving, mate.
#03
Auckland FC 2 – 1 Wellington Phoenix | Derby #2
Round: 7 | 24/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Season
GO MEDIA STADIUM MAKES ITS DERBY DEBUT
With the stadium absolutely packed, and the excitement of facing the rivals again in a short space time, as well as a good turnout from the Yellow Fever, this one promised to be a belter. We opened the scoring with an Isaac Hughes own goal from the Phoenix. Then in the second half Sakai earns a free kick. All the big guns set up in the box waiting for a perfect delivery.
Sakai obliges, and finds Nando Pijnaker, after ‘flappy bird’ Oluwayemi found himself in no man’s land. What a header at the back stick to go 2-0 up. That was enough to seal the second derby win, despite a slight scare when Barbarouses made it 2-1 and a comeback was on. Never in doubt though, crucial goal from Nando, which is why he’s at number 3.
#02
Wellington Phoenix 0 – 2 Auckland FC | Derby #1
Round: 3 | 24/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Season
THE CHERRY ON TOP OF THE CAKE TIN
1-0 up, past the 90th minute, and Luis Toomey finds himself in some space on the left wing. Does he go into the corners to see the rest of the game out with some time wasting? Of course not! He runs down the wing, beats Ishige and squares it to Brimmer who puts it in for two. The players are going mad, The Port is bouncing. The cherry on the top of the cake!
#01
Wellington Phoenix 0 – 2 Auckland FC | Derby #1
Round: 3 | 24/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Season
THANKS FOR THE GIFT, JOSH!
It wasn’t a screamer, it was anything spectacular. If anything, it was a gift from Phoenix keeper, Josh Oluwayemi. In the 88th minute, Jake Brimmer pounces on an awful pass from the keeper, and dinks the ball over him into the empty net. A first ever derby win on our first attempt. The Port were sent into dreamland, the Yellow Fever in tears. Easily number one in the ranking.
