Auckland FC and Western Sydney Wanderers played out an entertaining draw at Go Media, with nothing to separate the teams after goals in either half.
Steve Corica named an unchanged side as the Black Knights looked to maintain their lead at the top of the A-League ladder.
Auckland survived a number of early scares, including an injury to captain Hiroki Sakai and a well-worked Wanderers goal that was eventually disallowed for offside. The A-League’s best goalkeeper in Alex Paulsen also stepped in with some impressive saves.
With half-time on the horizon, Auckland started to exert some pressure of their own and it soon paid off.
Wanderers, trying to play out from the back, gifted Auckland a goal when the opposition ‘keeper Thomas slipped and played the ball straight to the feet on the onrushing Gallegos. The Chilean calmly passed the ball into the net for his first goal of the season.
Auckland had the bit between their teeth now and moments later Max Mata nearly scored a spectacular overhead kick, Thomas getting his fingertips to it and atoning for his earlier mistake.
Auckland started the second half the stronger team, but it was Wanderers who scored, a low strike from the edge of the area by Milanovic evaded everyone and found its way into the bottom of the net.
Jesse Randall then replaced Marlee François after the latter sustained a knock and with the minutes starting to pass, Head Coach Steve Corica decided it was time to change things up; Brimmer for Verstraete, Howieson for Mata, and Smith for Rogerson.
Randall and May both had chances to score as the Black Knights pushed for a winner. It wasn’t all one way traffic, with Wanderers reminding Auckland of their threat by smashing a shot off the crossbar.
With six minutes of injury time, Auckland pushed for a winner and were certainly the better side, but it wasn’t to be, the whistle went and the points shared.
Eleven game unbeaten Auckland now hit the road for a couple of weeks with games against Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory, before returning him for their final game of the regular season on April 27.
Player of the Match: Felipe Gallegos
Next game: Saturday, April 12, away to Sydney FC
Next home game at Go Media: Our final home game of the regular season and chance to settle a score against Perth Glory. We’re expecting a sell out so get your tickets for that game here.
Attendance: A very impressive 18,342
Favourite non-Auckland FC shirt spotted in the crowd: FC Köln.
