Knowing the Premier’s Plate was already secured, Auckland took to the field as the first New Zealand team to ever win A-League silverware.
Despite the rain the 24,000+ Auckland FC fans packed Go Media, keen to get the party started and celebrate with their team.
Auckland dominated the first half with a heap of chances. Max Mata doing his best but Perth goalkeeper denying him with some outstanding saves.
The one-way traffic continued into the second half. The deadlock finally broken by Marlee François in the 63rd minute.
His curling effort from the corner evaded everyone to bounce off the upright and into the back of the net. The kids call it an Olympico, whatever it was it was quality.
Did he mean it, who cares. It was a goal Auckland deserved, and the player looked genuinely stunned his effort had gone in, his first for the club since joining in January.
Minutes later he was replaced, with head coach Steve Corica making a triple substitution. Moreno, Randall and Howieson on for Mata, François and Verstraete.
Not long after, Gillion replaced Rogerson, on for his first appearance since injuring his hamstring back in February. Full of running, the attacking winger nearly scored with a well-placed header. Despite being only 5′ 8″ he climbed above the defender to meet the cross only to see it go agonisingly wide.
Auckland pressed for more but to no avail. It mattered little. After four minutes of extra time the whistle blew and the party started. The floodlights and rain bringing a European flavour to the celebrations.
Auckland FC are history makers. Premier Plate winners in their first season.
The team will enjoy the next few days but focus will soon turn to finals and the first away semi on May 17 against opponents unknown. One down, one to go.
Player of the Match: Hiroki Sakai
Attendance: 24,221
Best non-AFC shirt spotted in the crowd: Bristol Rovers
Next home game at Go Media: Saturday, May 24. Our home semi-final. No idea who against but bring the noise as we try and make it to our debut grand final.
