Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Saturday, February 28th, 5pm
Written by Jonno Ross
What a result last weekend. Auckland FC fans will still be buzzing from getting their 6th derby win in a row, and will hope the team’s performance carries over to this week, when we play Melbourne City at home in the quest to win back-to-back titles.
Last week’s result was the sort of win AFC needed, and the win that the fans have been crying out for. An absolute statement win in the derby, 5-0, which sent the 800+ travelling Auckland fans home happy.
It appears that the old Cake Tin is indeed falling down. Auckland FC absolutely killed the Phoenix on the day. We finished the game with a 5-0 scoreline – something you rarely see in a normal game of professional football, let alone a derby match. To cap it off, the Phoenix head coach resigned his post as head coach in the press conference. That’s now six derby defeats in a row for the team in black and yellow.
As good as this is, beating the Nix every time we play them, it simply can’t go on – for the sake of the rivalry and football in New Zealand, this needs to be more competitive, and we want to see the Nix do well – just not as good as us, of course.
Steve Corica has an intriguing decision to make this week. Heading into the derby, there were concerns about how much Sam Cosgrove’s absence would impact the result. Now, after a strong performance without him, the decision has only become tougher.
Does Corica stick with the same starting XI this week and live by the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”? Or does he bring his big striker straight back into the side? Guillermo May certainly hasn’t made Corica’s decision any easier, getting on the scoresheet as the replacement striker. The gaffer has a difficult decision to make. It is, however, a good headache for our boss to have.
We come up against Melbourne City this weekend. Time for the boys to redeem themselves. In the reverse fixture, we went 1-0 up thanks to a Lachie Brook strike, only to throw the lead away with 20 minutes to go – conceding in the 70th and 81st minutes of the game. It’s not often that Auckland scores first and goes on to lose, but unfortunately for us, that was the case, and we suffered our first defeat of the season.
We have a checkered short history with Melbourne City. We’ve played them three times. We’ve beaten them once, drawn once and lost once, so this weekend is a slightly more unpredictable outcome.
One thing is for sure, though: Guillermo May’s record against City isn’t too bad. He’s scored in two out of the three games we’ve played them, and his confidence will be high after his goal last Saturday against the Phoenix. Here’s hoping he’s Melbourne’s Kryptonite this weekend.
With Newcastle four points above us in the league, we have to keep winning and hope for them to drop points. This week, they play against Central Coast Mariners, who beat the Jets 3-2 in the reverse fixture. Hopefully, the Mariners can do us a favour and do the double over them.
Melbourne City will play their 5th game in just 21 days, come Saturday, due to their AFC Champions League commitments. The 24/2025 A-League Champions will no doubt be feeling the effects of extra playing time, plus travel fatigue, but will still be a dangerous opponent for Auckland FC.
Melbourne City is not where they are expected to be in the league. They’re coming into this weekend’s game off the back of a 3-1 loss in their last A-League fixture, a derby, and they find themselves in 8th position, two points outside the top 6.
Their form has been poor of late. With one win in their last five matches, including a 6-2 drubbing by Macarthur and a 2-2 draw with the Phoenix. They will realise if they don’t sharpen up quickly, their top six ambitions could see the Champions miss out on finals football. Like Auckland FC, but for different objectives, every game is a final from here on in.
Be very aware, Melbourne City will be no pushover on Saturday afternoon. This one has all the ingredients to be a belter.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jesse Randall is on fire this season. He’s scored 8 goals and has had 4 assists, making him one of the best players in the league. He’ll look to carry on his form and add to his 12-goal contributions so far. What a season he’s having.
Max Caputo is Melbourne’s top goalscorer, and he seems to be carrying his side at the moment. He’s scored 7 for the season, 5 more than any player on his side. If Auckland can keep Caputo under wraps this weekend, the odds swing in our favour tremendously.
FUN AT GO MEDIA STADIUM
You don’t want to miss out on the entertainment on offer.
As always, the Family Fan Zone is open again, with the jousting bouncy castle, temporary tattoos for the kids, player trading card station, and the beloved My Food Bag sign-making station for you and the kids to design a sign in support of the team.
For pre-match, we have the Chinese Lion Dance Performance to celebrate Lunar New Year.
Half-time is going to be so much fun! The Barfoot & Thompson Mascot Race takes over at half-time, with 15 different mascots going head-to-head in a high-energy dash across the pitch with prizes up for grabs. Check out the mascots below and back your favourite.
- Tāma (AFC)
- Goldi (Olympics)
- Captain Starship (Starship Hospital)
- Tennis Ball (ASB Classic)
- B&T House (Barfoot & Thompson)
- Gull (Auckland Rugby)
- Mr P (Pringles)
- Kahu (Blues Rugby)
- Hip-opotamus (NZME)
- NZ Blood Mascot
- Harold the Giraffe (Life Education)
- Big Al (Snowplanet)
- Monty (Westfield)
- Tiki (Warriors)
- Grimace (McDonalds)
Expect plenty of laughs, competitive spirit, and crowd involvement as they battle it out for bragging rights in one of the most entertaining moments of the day.
You don’t want to miss out on the fun, so get along early to experience all that’s on offer!
