Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Friday, 3rd April, 9:35pm NZT
Written by Jonno Ross
Ahh, so frustrating. We take one giant step forward when we beat Newcastle, only to be pegged backwards when we lost to Macarthur last time out. It was dubbed as the “worst performance of the season” according to Steve Corica. There’s no doubt he’ll have rarked up the team ahead of this week’s fixture against Adelaide.
For some, the international break has made it feel like a lifetime since AFC has played. For Corica and his side, the break may have come at the right time to regroup and tweak a few tactics here and there to set the boys firing again.
On the other hand, it was great to see Jesse Randall continue his form and get on the score sheet for his country against Chile on Monday evening at Eden Park. No doubt his confidence will be sky high, and here’s hoping he carries that form over to AFC.
The month of April was almost perfect for us last season, and we need to replicate that this month. Last year we went undefeated, with two draws and two wins, and we need to top that by winning the next four.
It’s worth pointing out the obvious again this week. This week’s game against Adelaide United is another “must-win” game, and again, every game from here on in is a final for the team.
Adelaide United will be a tough test for us. At the start of November last season, we beat them 2-1 at home thanks to Sam Cosgrove opening the scoring, and a late winner from Louis Verstraete to seal all three points. That was the first time we’d beaten Adelaide. Our first game against them last season ended in a 2-2 draw, thanks to a 99th-minute equaliser by Logan Rogerson. And in the reverse fixture at home, who could forget that 4-4 scoreline?
We can expect goals, drama, and an entertaining football match this week!
It’s good news for Adelaide, but terrible news for Auckland. Francis de Vries picked up a calf strain against Finland a week ago, putting him out of action for the rest of the regular season. Here’s hoping he’ll be back for finals football.
It’ll be interesting to see who will replace de Vries, and whoever it is has big shoes to fill. But also, a massive chance for that player to perform and stake a claim for a starting position.
Auckland are four points off league leaders, Newcastle. The Jets play away, against Macarthur, tomorrow. If Macarthur pull off the victory, and we win on Friday night, we could be just one point off the top, with just three games remaining after this round.
Pressure on both sides at the top to perform. Who will handle the pressure?
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Our own superstar Jessie Randall is on fire! Despite not scoring since the 3-0 win against Melbourne City at the end of February, he’s created and assisted goals on the regular, and he’s a defender’s nightmare as of late. After his performance and goal for the All Whites on Monday, his confidence will be through the roof. Make the most out of watching this guy play before he heads off to Scotland next season.
For Adelaide, Luka Jovanovic is hunting down that golden boot. He’s got 9 goals to his name, and he scored against Auckland last time out. He’s scored 4 in his last 5 games, and a player on this form and his qualities needs to be nullified for the whole 90 minutes
