Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Sunday, April 19th, 3pm
Written by Jonno Ross
The suspense is killing us! Two games left to play of the regular season, and the Premiers Plate is so close to being ours again, yet it’s still so far away at the same time.
We play the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday, and we need the stadium to be FULL, urging the team on, helping them through the 90 minutes to get the three points that will keep us in the title race. We need the ground packed out for the last home game of the regular season!
CAN AUCKLAND GO BACK-TO-BACK?
Here’s What Needs to Happen. Auckland FC are on the brink of back-to-back league titles, but there are a few results that need to fall into place. Here’s how it could unfold:
Tomorrow night (9pm NZT): Newcastle Jets travel to Melbourne Victory. If the Jets lose, the gap between Auckland FC and the Jets stays at three points until we play the Mariners on Sunday afternoon. Right where we need it, heading into our last home game of the regular season.
Auckland FC vs Central Coast Mariners: If we beat the Mariners, we go top of the league on goal difference. Simple as that.
The final home game – Sydney FC vs. Auckland FC (Sunday 26th April, 5pm): Our final game of the season is against Sydney FC away. All we have to do is either match or better the Jets’ result, who play Central Coast Mariners on Saturday, April 25th, 7pm, and we’ll become the Premiers’ again.
The bottom line: Win our last two games, and Auckland FC are champions regardless of how the rest plays out. The most straightforward path runs through Melbourne, doing us a favour tomorrow night. So do yourself a favour: tune into Sky Sports 6 tomorrow night at 9pm NZT and get behind Melbourne Victory!
MATCH RECAP
The AFC boys had a hard-fought game against Melbourne Victory last weekend. It was a hotly contested game between the sides, and a 2-2 draw was probably a fair result. Both teams had moments in the game where they could have put the game to bed, but it was honours shared when the full-time whistle went.
Frustratingly, we didn’t get the rub of the green when it came to refereeing decisions. Emotions got the better of Steve Corica, and he ended up being given his marching orders with a red card. He’ll now miss the game on Sunday, serving a one-match ban.
MATCH PREVIEW
Auckland FC have an unbeaten record against this week’s opponent. We’ve played them four times, beating them twice and drawing twice. The last time out was a 2-2 draw, with goals from Randall and Cosgrove…here’s hoping our top two goalscorers can get on the scoresheet again this week.
Good news has come from the Auckland FC camp. Michael Woud is close to a return to the matchday squad. Guillermo May is back after serving his mandatory stand-down period after the concussion he received against Adelaide United. And Jake Girdwood-Reich returns, after missing the last game due to illness. Great timing for these players to come back in – fingers crossed their return helps win on Sunday afternoon.
Facing the Central Coast Mariners won’t be an easy task. Sure. They are winless in their past five games, and finals football is just about out of reach for them, but they’ll be crossing the ditch with a purpose – to kill off AFC’s chances of silverware.
They’re capable of what would be dubbed an ‘upset win’. Throughout the season, they’ve managed to beat some top sides – Sydney FC, Adelaide United, and Melbourne Victory. It’s the lack of consistency that sees them 9th in the league. On their day, they can beat anybody, so Auckland need to be on top of their game this week.
Speaking of consistency, Auckland FC are in a similar vein of form as the Mariners, and not the good kind. We haven’t won since we played Newcastle on the 14th of March. Since then, we’ve lost one and drawn twice – not particularly the form that earns you a trophy at the end of the season. We need to up our game, and we have to do it now. There are no second chances anymore.
Get along to Go Media Stadium on Sunday afternoon to help the team get the job done. And come along to celebrate what’s been another great season at home. It’s our final home game of the regular season, let’s make some noise!
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jesse Randall will step onto the field for his last-ever regular-season home game for Auckland FC before he heads to Europe next season. We’re going to miss him, but it’s the best move for his career. Let’s make the most of him while we’ve still got him.
Callan Elliot and Hiroki Sakai could be the undercover threats for AFC this week. When we’re in possession of the ball, they are effectively wingers. Hopefully, they can cause some havoc up and down the wings and whip some balls into the box for Cosgrove to get on the end of.
For the Mariners, Ali Auglah hasn’t had the most prolific of seasons with the Mariners. He’s only scored four goals this season, but he seems to have found form of late, having scored twice in his last three appearances. He’ll no doubt be looking to make it three from four – let’s hope our boys can contain him.
FUN AT GO MEDIA STADIUM
FANS ON FIELD AFTER FULL TIME
If you ever wanted to walk on the pitch of Go Media Stadium, now is your chance. This Sunday, you can!
When the full-time whistle blows against the Central Coast Mariners this Sunday, the gates open and every single fan in the stadium is invited onto the pitch to celebrate with the players. An unforgettable end-of-season moment, and you need to be there to be part of it.
This doesn’t happen every day.
Please follow instructions from security staff and match officials to ensure everyone has a safe and memorable experience.
WHAT’S ON AT GO MEDIA STADIUM
The Auckland FC player shirts will also feature the poppy printed on the centre of the shirt. These shirts will also be signed by the players and auctioned off afterwards, raising additional funds for veterans.
Auckland University of Technology’s (AUT) Humanoid Robot are delivering the match ball onto the pitch. Make sure you’re in your seats to watch this!
AUT’s MāoriStudents’ Association – Titahi Ki Tua or TKT – will deliver a powerful performance, including the haka, that promises to be a proud Kiwi moment. Fresh off their first-place win at Te Huinga Tauira, the National Tertiary Students’ Conference.
