Football returned to Go Media Stadium with the Black Knights taking on Brisbane Roar in a repeat of the club’s first ever game back in October 2024.
The opening goal of that game was an own goal that put Auckland FC 1-0 up. If that was sloppy, the goal that opened this game in the 18th minute was spectacular.
Lachie Brook won a free kick on the edge of the area. The Aussie winger then stepped up to take it and fired a beautiful, curling shot high into the corner of the near post. The Brisbane ‘keeper, wrong footed, scrambled back across his goal but there was no preventing the 24-year-old’s first goal for the club. ‘Top bins’ as the kids say.
Brisbane had their chances and kept an Auckland defence, featuring Nando Pijanker starting for the first time this season, on their toes.
Right on the stroke of half time, Brisbane finally broke through. A pass that split the back line was collected by the striker who one-on-one slotted past Woud.
Head Coach Steve Corica didn’t wait long after half time to make his first substitutes. Gillion on for Randall, who only arrived back from the USA with the All Whites on Friday morning, and Howieson on for Gallegos, the Chilean only recently returning and still building his match fitness. It was the same story for May soon after, he made way for Bidois after 73 minutes.
Also making an appearance as a late sub was Oli Middleton. The 20-year-old scholarship player signed from Auckland United back in June and made his debut here for the Black Knights.
This was now a young attacking unit eager to please with plenty of balls over the top for Gillion and Middleton to run onto.
De Vries attempted to repeat Brook’s trick with a dead-ball effort at the end of normal time. He very nearly succeeded as well, his shot coming off the crossbar.
The game ended in a draw and Auckland remain undefeated after five games this season. Three wins and two draws mean the club sit second in the A-League ladder.
A point isn’t a bad result considering the current squad depth. The team are home again next Sunday, refreshed and reinvigorated and once again targeting all three points.
Player of the Match: Michael Woud
Attendance: 12,379
Next home game at Go Media: Rinse and repeat. We go again next Sunday, again at 3pm but this time against the Newcastle Jets. Tickets for this and all Auckland FC games can be bought here.
Favourite non-Auckland FC shirt seen in the crowd: Newcastle United home from approx. 2005 with ‘Shearer 9’ on the back.
