Steve Corica speaks to the media ahead of Auckland FC’s first-ever A-League Grand Final, against his former club, Sydney FC
Auckland FC stormed to victory in Adelaide, winning the Semi-final second leg 3-0 (4-1 agg) to book a place in their maiden A-League Grand Final this weekend in front of their home fans at Go Media.
The Black Knights have a strong record against this weekend’s opposition, having never lost against Sydney FC, however Corica notes that you can’t predict finals football.
“It’s a final, everything is different, but you know, we had the upper hand on Adelaide, so hopefully that’s in their mind as well that they haven’t beaten us.”
Tickets for Saturday’s grand final were described as the ‘hottest tickets in town,’ with Corica speaking on just how important the fans have been on the team’s road to the grand final.
“Well it’s what you want, we’ve always wanted to get the people of Auckland right behind us.
“They have done that from the start, obviously the members have supported us, but The Port has been amazing, and it’s a sold-out crowd tomorrow.
“There’s no better way than, you know, winning a grand final, than in front of your home fans.”
“They’ve been through thick and thin, obviously in the pouring rain as well at times at Go Media, and they deserve it just as much as the players do.”
Steve Corica spent 19 years at Sydney FC, winning the A-League as a player and coach. Corica dismissed the idea that his history with Sydney would affect him leading into the final.
“I’ve been there for 19 years, it’s a long time in football to stay at one club for that long. I loved it there, obviously I won trophies there as a player and a coach, so I’m really proud of what we achieved there.
“But I’m really proud of what we’ve done here as well in the first two seasons. We’ve won the premiership in the first year, we made a semi-final (last year), made a semi-final this year.
“Now it’s the first time that any New Zealand men’s football team is in the grand final. So I’m excited, the boys are, and it’s going to be a great day.” Said Corica.
Corica’s squad looks to be in good nick with Jake Brimmer and Felipe Gallegos participating fully in training on Thursday.
Jake Brimmer will provide much-needed reinforcements to a thin Auckland midfield as he will be available for selection for Saturday’s Grand Final after dealing with a few injuries.
Felipe Gallegos has been sidelined for the past month with a hamstring injury sustained in the final regular-season match against Sydney FC, but he is in line to return on Saturday.
