Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Saturday, May 9th, 6pm
Written by Jonno Ross
One step closer to the grand prize that we’re all dreaming of – two steps to go. Next stop, Adelaide United, this Saturday at Go Media Stadium. If you thought the tension was high last weekend, it’s going to be up there again on Saturday night.
We need the stadium to be rocking, with the fans cheering every tackle, passing every ball our boys make, and being one unit for the 90 minutes. This one is going to be huge. If you haven’t already, get your tickets here.
MATCH RECAP
What a game last weekend against Melbourne City – it truly had it all. Of course, it had to be Guillermo May to open the scoring on the stroke of halftime. The super Uruguayan met Jesse Randall’s perfect corner delivery, heading it home past Patrick Beach, haunting City again, with his fourth goal against them.
Auckland FC remained in control for the majority of the second half, but as the clock ticked closer to the 90-minute mark, City started to turn the screws as our boys started to defend their one-goal cushion. Under the pump we went, and Michael Woud was called into action several times, making a couple of saves to keep us with the advantage.
City’s persistent pressure finally paid off when 18-year-old Medin Memeti found himself free in the box after a perfectly whipped free kick by Aziz Behich. 1-1 in the final minute of regulation time.
Extra time, here we go. Extra time was nervy, and it ended goalless.
Penalty kicks in front of the Port. Oh, the drama. The first five penalties from both sides were immaculate, which meant sudden death. Nathaniel Atkinson stepped up to take the 7th penalty…Woud with the save, leaving it up to Dan Hall, who had never scored for AFC before. Of course, he slots it in, sending the Port into rapture and absolute scenes on the field and stadium. We make it to the semi-finals for the second season in a row.
MATCH PREVIEW
Our four previous fixtures against Adelaide haven’t gone without any drama, and when these two play each other, there are always goals from both sides. No clean sheets, last-minute equalisers, red card situations that went unpunished, and not to mention an insane 4-4 score line.
What to expect on Saturday? Honestly, this one is unpredictable, and anything could happen.
Our last meeting against Adelaide was full of drama from the get-go. Michael Woud went down with an injury in the warm-up, handing Jimmy Hilton a debut between the sticks. Nine yellow cards and a goal-of-the-season contender from Felipe Gallegos later, the match finished a draw.
The commentators described it as a ‘slug fest’. For the neutral, they want to see something like this again.
Saturday night is the first of a two-legged semi-final. As Adelaide finished higher than Auckland in the league, they come into this one refreshed after having a week off. For Auckland, this week has been all about recovery and getting fit for the opening leg.
Auckland FC must take the bull by its horns on Saturday night. We have the advantage of playing at home, and we need a result which we can defend for the second leg away from home. If we lose, chasing a target away from home is a mammoth task. This fixture MUST be all about the first leg for our team.
Over the last four fixtures with Adelaide, a staggering 17 goals have been scored between the two sides. That’s averaging over four goals a game.
Steve Corica has a selection headache this week. Does he stick to the same lineup as last week, keeping Cosgrove, Pijnaker and Brimmer on the bench with a ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ mentality? Or will we see a different lineup? All will be revealed come Saturday.
Adelaide United are no strangers to finals football and lifting silverware, although they’ll definitely feel it’s been a while between drinks. They won the Championship ten years ago in 2016, as well as lifting the Premiers Plate in 2006 and 2016. Could a ten-year break between trophies be their good luck omen? It very well could be; it’s up to Auckland to stop them.
Be there on Saturday in what could be our last home fixture of the season. Kick off is at 6pm at Go Media Stadium, get along and cheer the team over the line!
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Guillermo fancies this fixture as well. He’s scored twice against Adelaide, and with the form he’s in at the moment, you wouldn’t bet against him.
Lachie Brook comes up against his former side, and how often do we see a former player score against their old club? Fingers crossed that it will be the case this weekend.
