Head coach Steve Corica says Auckland FC need to make sure they don’t falter because of their three-week break before their next men’s A-League match.
After a flying start to life in the Isuzu UTE A-League, Auckland FC are top of the table with three wins from as many games, and the side has yet to concede a goal.
But their next game is not until Sunday November 24 when they play Macarthur in the Unite Round at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.
Next weekend is a bye, and there’s a break due to the November international window.
“We need to work hard in this little break here,” Corica said at his post-match media briefing following Auckland FC’s 2-0 win against Wellington Phoenix.
“If we take our foot off the pedal now, it’s hard to come back.
“We’re going to keep working hard. We’ll have a couple of in-house games and that everyone gets good minutes because some boys need minutes because they haven’t played a lot.”
As for the first New Zealand derby, Corica said he was nervous before the game, even more so than before the Round 2 game against his former club Sydney.
“It means a lot to the fans,” he said. “A lot of them turned up here today, as well, from Auckland. It’s good for them to have bragging rights as well over the Wellington fans — that’s what it’s all about.”
Main photo: Steve Corica … ‘we’re going to keep working hard.’
Auckland FC supporters enjoy their team’s victory.After the match at Sky Stadium, played before a crowd of 26,252, two-goal hero Jake Brimmer told Sky Sport he believes the New Zealand derby will become the biggest in the competition.
“To be honest with you, I was just speaking before to a few of the boys, and I think it’s the derby that’s going to end up as one of the biggest derbies in the competition, believe it or not.
“You’ve seen tonight, the travelling fans and the Phoenix brought big numbers as well.
“Give it a couple of years and this will be the biggest derby in the league.”
The match attendance set a new record for a Phoenix regular season home game.
Jake Brimmer … ‘this will be the biggest derby in the league’ ResultGame played on Saturday November 2, 2024
Men’s A-LeagueWellington Phoenix 0 Auckland FC 2 (Jake Brimmer 89′, 90+6′)
WATCH: Highlights from first-ever New Zealand derby in men’s A-League >>>>
READ MORE: Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano: ‘We gave them the three points’ >>>>
Table at 9.30pm (NZT) on Saturday November 2, 2024.This story was first published on November 2, 2024.
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