Auckland FC passed up the chance to go top of the A-League, losing 2-1 to Macarthur at Go Media Stadium. Two first-half goals from the Bulls left Auckland with a mountain to climb; an eventual stoppage-time header for Jake Girdwood-Reich was too late to impact the result.
Macarthur started quickly, their physicality and dominance in the centre surprising the hosts.
Macarthur had the better of the opening twenty minutes and went one-nil up via a deflected shot in the 11th minute. They nearly made it two five minutes later but were denied by an outstanding fingertip save from Woud , who pushed a header onto the upright.
Eventually, Auckland settled into the match and began to start using the flanks as Macarthur sat back, utilising the low block. The Black Knights created several chances but were unable to convert. Unfortunately, Macarthur could and scored again in the 44th minute.
Changes were guaranteed at half time, and Head Coach Steve Corica delivered, replacing Callan Elliot, Guillermo May and Felipe Gallegos with Louis Verstraete, Lachie Brook and Luka Vicelich, the 17-year-old making his debut.
The team looked better in the second half, perhaps lifted by the 11,000+ fans enjoying some late summer sun. Auckland continued to push but was stifled by Macarthur’s tactics. Cosgrove twice went close before Jake scored a good header from a Francis cross late on, but it wasn’t to be.
The game ended, and once the interviews were done, there was a touching moment when Jake Brimmer, surrounded by teammates and accompanied by his pregnant wife, was presented with a framed shirt to commemorate his 200th A-League appearance.
Player of the Match: Luka Vicelich
Attendance: 11,689
Next home game at Go Media: We return to Go Media Stadium on April 11 for our favoured Saturday, 5pm kick-off against Melbourne Victory. This is one of just two home games left for the season so get your tickets for this and all Auckland FC games here.
Favourite non-Auckland FC shirt seen in the crowd: The black and blue of third tier German side FC Saarbrücken. The owner of shirt was very keen to share the fact that the team beat Bayern a couple of seasons ago. If you are reading this, we hope you enjoyed your time in New Zealand.
