Auckland FC vs. Newcastle Jets
Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Thursday, January 1st, 5pm
Written by Jonno Ross
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It feels like a long time since AFC played – last week’s game vs. Sydney FC was postponed as the pitch was deemed ‘unsafe’ for the players to play on. Things may work in our favour – we remain two points clear at the league summit, with a game in hand. Time to capitalise on our league position this week, when we come up against the Newcastle Jets for the second time this season. Let’s get into it.
Auckland FC are the gift that keeps on giving. Auckland went top of the league a couple of weeks ago against Western Sydney Wanderers with a 2-0 win, but they had to wait until the result of the Newcastle vs. Sydney FC game to see if they’d remain in top spot. Newcastle Jets pulled through and gave AFC and their fans the perfect Christmas gift – a win against Sydney, which meant Auckland FC remained top of the league.
We have a pleasant feeling of deja vu – the second year running that we’re top of the league at this stage of the competition. Last Christmas and New Year’s, we were top!
Auckland come into the game with a full, healthy squad, giving Steve Corica the best kind of headache when it comes to squad selection. There are always places up for grabs, and that will give the players motivation to work hard in training and deliver their best performance on a game day.
The quality we have on our bench is overwhelmingly good – arguably, we have the best squad in the competition when it comes to squad depth. A dream for any coach!
Auckland FC are playing Newcastle Jets for the second time this season. Last time out, the sides played at Go Media Stadium in typical AFC vs. Newcastle fashion. It absolutely bucketed down with rain, making playing conditions almost unplayable. Should the match have been called off? Maybe it should have, but we’re not a team who make excuses. Unfortunately, Newcastle stole the three points and became just the third team in our short history to beat us at home. The others were Western United and Melbourne Victory last season.
The boys will look to seek revenge on the visitors on Thursday. Losing twice to the same opponents on our sacred turf will seem unfathomable. Expect our players to be fired up and leave everything out there on the pitch.
The Newcastle Jets are coming into this one after suffering their 6th loss of the season. It was one of the most bizarre games of football, where the neutral would have been highly entertained. Newcastle found themselves 4-2 down with 15 minutes remaining.
They thought they had pulled off a comeback for the ages when they brought it back to 4-4 with 7 minutes to play – only for Macarthur to steal all 3 points in the dying seconds of injury time. The match ended 5-4 for the Macarthur Bulls.
The Jets will look to bounce back, and they know they’ve got it in them to beat AFC after beating them in the previous fixture. The rain looks like it may feature in this one (what is with rain when we play Newcastle?), but hopefully it won’t be bad enough for either team, and they can put good football on display.
You can expect goals in this one. Fun fact – 29% of goals that have been scored in the Isuzu UTE A League have involved the Jets. Which attack will come out on top? Which defence will hold firm? Hopefully, the fire services are on standby. This one is bound to be heated.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Auckland FC
Louis Verstraete has been an absolute beast for Auckland FC. Those players who aren’t scoring or assisting every game sometimes go unnoticed. The defensive midfielders’ passing, tackling, and defensive wherewithal are second to none – it’d be a very different side without this man on the pitch.
Newcastle Jets
Lachlan Rose will look to torment the Auckland fans again. After being labelled the ‘Temu Erling Haaland’ for the majority of the first half in the previous fixture, he had the last say by scoring Newcastle’s second goal just before halftime. That hushed the banter being thrown his way, and his goal proved to be the difference that sent Newcastle home with all three points.
NEW YEAR’S DAY FUN AT GO MEDIA
It wouldn’t be the same if you didn’t get wet in an AFC vs. Newcastle fixture. Strictly for kids aged 6-12, the biggest water fight in the southern hemisphere* will be taking place in the car park by LilyWorld. Bring a towel, and wear something you don’t mind getting wet in. It starts at 3:45pm.
Auckland FC’s famous Tailgate is on again. DJ’s, BBQ’s, fun and games are happening. It’s a wonderful occasion that brings the football community closer together.
It’s the famous Hawaiian theme day for The Port. If you’re sitting in bays 21, 22, or 23, wear your Hawaiian shirts, Leis, or even put a pretty flower in your ear. Better yet, why not all those things!
Actually, scratch that, it doesn’t matter where you’re sitting, join in on the fun, and come dressed in your favourite Hawaiian getup!
As always, the Family Fan Zone will be open again. Of course, the giant inflatable slide will be up, football darts is happening, and much more! Be sure to arrive early, to make the most of everything before kickoff.
