Hawke's Bay United lost 4-0 to league leaders Auckland City in the ISPS Handa Men's Premiership on Sunday afternoon. Photo / Paul Taylor
Hawke's Bay United lost 4-0 to league leaders Auckland City in the ISPS Handa Men's Premiership on Sunday afternoon. Photo / Paul Taylor
Hawke's Bay United remain in with an outside chance of reaching the ISPS Handa Men's Premiership playoffs despite a disappointing 4-0 loss to Auckland City on Sunday afternoon.
After picking up 10 points from their previous four matches, United were thrashed by the league leaders at Bluewater Stadium in Napier.
While the sides shared possession for much of the first half, the visitors made the breakthrough in the 31st minute after a ball over the top of the defence was squared to DeAndre Vollenhoven to tap home.
The hosts could have found a way back into the game just moments after the restart after Karan Mandair was cynically pulled down in the Auckland penalty area.
Despite having an all but empty goal in front of him, referee Kelvin Berg pointed to the spot but produced only a yellow card for Auckland defender Brian Kaltack.
Midfielder Hugo Delhommelle, who converted his spot-kick in HBU's last home fixture against Team Wellington, saw his penalty saved impressively by Cameron Brown.
Auckland City, who have won 30 of the 40 matches between the two sides, extended their lead midway through the second half through goals from Kaltack and Mohammed Awad.
Hawke's Bay United goalkeeper Scott Morris kept the score down with a number of impressive saves. Photo / Paul Taylor
HBU goalkeeper Scott Morris was left helpless after Yousif Al-Kalisy netted an 87th-minute goal, wrapping up Auckland's ninth straight win over Hawke's Bay United.
United midfielder Mandair said the squad must stay positive if they are to make the playoffs.
"Our quality on the ball and not taking our chances when they came let us down," he said. "We had a few big chances and, if we had scored, the game could've been a whole lot different.
"We need to keep our heads up and trust each other and the coaches and take as many points as possible in our last games to push for the playoffs."
Hawke's Bay United next face Canterbury United at English Park at 4pm on February 6, followed by bottom side, the Wellington Phoenix Reserves.
Auckland City manager Jose Figueira heaped praise on Dre Vollenhoven after he scored on his full debut for the club.
Vollenhoven, who helped guide Auckland's junior side to a record three-in-a-row title victory last season, started the match after three previous appearances off the bench.
"He's been at the club for a long time now, having come through our academy and youth team pathways and to not only get his first full start, which is a special moment but to cap it off with a goal as well and a lot of other good things he did today makes it extra special," he said.
"I think you could see the players celebrated together which makes it extra special."
Figueira said precision and focus were key to his side's victory.
"I was delighted with the performance and it was right up there as one of our best from start to finish," he added. "The things we worked on during the week came to fruition in the game."
