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RD 17 Match Report: Auckland FC 2 – 1 Macarthur FC

Auckland remain top of the league after another impressive outing, this time at home against Macarthur FC.  

Goals from Moreno and Verstraete secured the win in a line-up that saw Auckland make just one change from the heart-stopping encounter against Western Sydney Wanderers. Last minute hero, Neyder Moreno made his first start, Jesse Randall taking his place on the bench.   

Auckland scored first and early, surprising the fans still lining up for an ice-cream with a well-executed set piece goal in the 9th minute.  

A long throw by Sakai to the byline was headed back towards the near post by Mata and there, once again, was Neyder Moreno to tuck it in for his fifth goal of the season, his first as a starter.  

Macarthur equalised 10 minutes later. A dangerous header from Germain was initially well saved by Paulsen, but the rebound fell into the path of the onrushing Hollman who was able to drill it into the back of the net.   

Moments later centre back Pijnaker had to be replaced by Elliot. The former appearing to sustain a knock to his knee in the clash with Germain that led to the Macarthur goal.  

The game settled down, Auckland the dominant team but with Macarthur executing a game plan that appeared to revolve round niggly fouls and general shit-housery.  

At half-time it remained 1-1. May coming closest with header right at the death that missed the target by mere inches.  

After 71 minutes head coach Steve Corica decided it was time to shake things up and made a triple substitution. Mata, Moreno and Brimmer making way for Randall, Francois and Gallegos.  

The Macarthur defence was finally breached in the 80th minute with yet another late-ish goal.  

The Black Knights won a freekick on the edge of the Macarthur penalty box. Up stepped de Vries with an in-swinger and there was Verstraete to nod home amongst a crowd of bodies. That’s de Vries fourth assist of the season, all coming from set pieces.  

Auckland used the restart to make their final sub of the game. Cam Howieson replacing Logan Rogerson and after five minutes of stoppage time, the game was up.  

Player of the Match: Callan Elliot 

Next game: February 15, away to Western United.  

Next home game at Go Media: The Derby. Saturday, February 22 against a Wellington based team. Tickets for that and all Auckland games can be bought here.  

Attendance: 14,051 

Favourite non-Auckland FC shirt spotted in the crowd: A red AC Milan shirt with De Vries on the back.