Football: WaiBop caught out twice at set pieces

Auckland City FC recorded their third straight ASB Premiership win on Sunday with a 3-2 victory over WaiBOP United at Kiwitea Street, before the club were officially honoured for their Fifa Club World Cup success.

Sam Burfoot's well-taken strike got the home side away to a good start in just the fifth minute but the visitors responded just before the half-hour mark via an excellent Mark Jones effort - the WaiBOP midfielder's second goal in as many games.

Marko Dordevic restored the Auckland lead in first half stoppage time with a header before the defender made it 3-1 in the 58th minute with his second headed goal of the day.

Federico Marquez pulled a goal back for WaiBOP with 12 minutes remaining but Peter Smith's side could get no closer with the coach eventually sent from the technical area in stoppage time by referee John Rowbury.

Coach Ramon Tribulietx said his side did what they had to do to handle the challenge posed by WaiBOP as well as their own recent playing schedule.

"We've played four games within a couple of weeks which is not easy, especially for amateur players but the way we've been playing has been pretty good - especially in the last couple of games," Tribulietx said.

"Today we played well for 60 or 70 minutes but it was a matter of putting the chances we created away but unfortunately we didn't do that. WaiBOP scored on their first chance which made the game a bit difficult for us."

Meanwhile, Smith commented on a mixed bag from his side against Auckland City which he felt could have produced more than it did.

"We were frustrated at times, and that probably led to what happened at the end, but again I'm pleased with the effort the lads put in today," he said after the game.

"We scored a couple of good goals and went close to forcing another opening near the end, so I look at that and have to be pleased.

"Having said that, at times we didn't defend well on set-pieces; including two of their goals. That's disappointing, because we work on that at training. Despite that, we were in the game to the end so I guess it's a case of being pleased with most of what we did but frustrated with several key things."

Smith also praised the work rate of his side in difficult conditions. "It was hot today but the lads worked really, really hard. I can't fault anything on that front. They continue to put it in for us week after week."