Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Saturday, May 23rd, 8:10pm
Written by Jonno Ross
We’ve actually gone and done it. The Grand Final, the big dance, and the final step toward being crowned A-League champions.
Why it’s taken 18 years for an NZ team to crack the big show, we’ll never know – because we made it after two years of existence. Sydney FC, we’re coming for you. Bring on Saturday night!
MATCH RECAP
Nerves? What nerves? If the AFC players and staff were nervous heading into the second leg of the semi-final against Adelaide United, they certainly didn’t show it. For the fans, there were naturally a few nerves, but belief never wavered. A strong contingent of AFC supporters turned out in impressive numbers to back the lads, and they certainly delivered.
Apart from a slight scare in the second minute of the match by Adelaide, where they had a goal-scoring chance at the back post, Auckland FC looked calm and composed, and pulled out their best performance of the season.
It took until the 44th minute for us to break the deadlock, with Jake Girdwood-Reich powering home a superbly whipped-in corner from Lachie Brook. Auckland FC went into the sheds in the ascendancy.
In the 56th minute, Sam Cosgrove went down in the box after being fouled – penalty! He stepped up to take it, and the keeper just about saved it, but couldn’t prevent the ball from crossing the line. 3-1 on aggregate, and we’re all starting to believe.
Adelaide United kept on probing, but Auckland stayed resolute. The performance was capped off with an 86th-minute goal by Logan Rogerson, and it was at that point that we all knew we had done it. The ghosts of last year’s semi-final second leg had been laid to rest – Auckland FC had made it to the Grand Final in their second year of existence.
What a time to be alive!
We then turned our focus to the following night. In order for us to have a home grand final, Sydney FC had to beat Newcastle Jets away in Newcastle. The odds that would happen were against us, yet we were still hopeful. The hope paid off – Sydney FC won via penalty kicks, and the Isuzu UTE A-League 2026 Grand Final was headed to Auckland. The cherry on top of the cake, get in!
MATCH PREVIEW
The form books go completely out the window when it comes to knockout football, never mind a grand final. However, it’s important to bear this in mind – Auckland FC have never lost to Sydney FC. We’ve beaten them twice with the same scoreline of 1-0, with one of those victories being the iconic 97th injury time winner, when Nando Pijnaker back-heeled a stray ball into the back of the net.
We’ve drawn with them on the other three occasions, with the most recent scoreline of 2-2, thanks to a Guillermo May double off the bench.
Despite the unbeaten record against Sydney, this week won’t be easy by any means. Being unbeaten against them is nice, but it’s not as if we’ve run away with a victory – they’ve all been tough, hard-fought results with little to separate the two sides. Here’s hoping for a similar performance that saw us beat Adelaide United last Friday night. If we perform like that again, we’ll be a hard team to beat.
Although we are without our Uruguayan talisman, Guillermo May, Steve Corica has nearly a full roster to choose from for the final game of the season. We’re just waiting to see if Felipe Gallegos will be fit for selection.
Our players are in their best form of the season as of late. Lachie Brook is looking dangerous, looking to assist or score in every other game over recent times. Jesse Randall will look to play a massive part on Saturday, being his final game for Auckland FC before heading overseas to join Dundee United. Sam Cosgrove is a handful and will be putting himself about as usual, and hopefully, find the back of the net for the 13th time this season.
For the first time in the A-League’s history, the first and second-placed teams haven’t made it to the grand final. This year, it’s third against fifth, and history will be made, whoever wins it.
Sydney FC’s leading goal scorers, Thiago Quintal and Al Hassan Toure, have scored five goals apiece for their side this season. Not exactly numbers that are mind-blowing, but they’re still huge threats to any opponent they come up against. Surprisingly, though, neither of those two has scored in their last five outings for the Sky Blues. You have to go back to the 11th of April to find when they scored last, with Toure scoring in Sydney’s 2-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers. Let’s hope they aren’t biding their time and saving up for when it matters most.
This is the big dance. This is the reason why players want to play in the A-League. The Grand Final. Sydney FC have been here eight times before. They’ve won it in five of those, holding the record for most titles won. Being ‘Champions’ is in their DNA.
For Auckland FC, they’re trying to create a force to be reckoned with and want to be one of the names engraved on the trophy. Will Sydney make it six-time champions? Or will Auckland go all the way in front of a sold-out home stadium? Whatever the result, you don’t want to miss it. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime event.
If you couldn’t get a ticket to the hottest event in town, tune in to Sky Sports 1. Coverage begins at 6:45pm, kickoff is at 8:10pm. Keep an eye on Auckland FC socials for more surprises!
Come on, Auckland!
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Forget individuals, we need you to be the 12th man come Saturday night. Whether you’re watching the game on a screen or in the stadium, the team needs you to be behind every player, cheering every tackle, every pass, every header, every shot, and absolutely everything.
NZ has never seen a professional football team make a grand final, EVER. As much as it is the teams, this is also your moment. Soak it all in.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, live it, savour it, enjoy it.
See you there!
