Top of the league but Auckland FC's Steve Corica already eyeing ...

8 days ago

With two wins under his belt, Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica is already looking forward to next Saturday’s first-ever A-League derby against the Wellington Phoenix. 

Auckland FC - Figure 1
Photo Friends of Football

“It’s going to be the first ever derby so it’s going to be something special,” Corica told a media briefing after Auckland FC’s 1-0 win against Sydney.

“The fans are very passionate about the derbies, the players are (too) and we want to put on a good performance.

“It’s our first chance to be away from home and we want to go there and win. It’s as simple as that.

“It’s about going there, putting on a good performance and picking up three points but I’m sure it’s going to be a difficult game, a physical game as well.”

The two New Zealand teams fill the top two spots on the Isuzu UTE A-League table after Round 2.

Auckland FC - Figure 2
Photo Friends of Football

Auckland FC have had a dream start to life in the A-League, and are the only club to nail maximum points for their two outings, and to have not yet conceded a goal.

A small aircraft flew this banner over the stadium during the match — a sign of things to come …

Auckland FC drew 14,263 spectators to Go Media Stadium Mt Smart for their second home game, following their 24,492 attendance for the season opener against Brisbane Roar.

READ MORE: Auckland FC attract capacity crowd for debut — but how does it compare? >>>>

As well as the entertainment on the grass, the crowd were also treated to an aerial jibe from the Phoenix who organised a small aircraft to fly a banner over the stadium, bearing the words: ‘NZ is yellow — see you next week!”

Auckland FC - Figure 3
Photo Friends of Football

“I missed it,” a laughing Corica said at his post-match briefing.

I just missed it! It was about next week, wasn’t it?”

Two games gone; the third is already on the radar …

Results

Game played on Sunday October 27, 2024

Perth Glory 0 Wellington Phoenix 2 (Scott Wootton 39′, Tim Payne 49′)

READ MORE: Wellington Phoenix earn first win of new men’s A-League season >>>>

Auckland FC 1 (Nando Pijnaker 90+7′) Sydney 0

READ MORE: Auckland FC go top of A-League with last gasp winner from Nando Pijnaker >>>>

Table at 6am (NZT) Monday October 28, 2024.

This story was first published on October 28, 2024.

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