Auckland FC 2
Adelaide United 1
The Auckland FC machine rolls on – even if they continue to do things the hard way.
This was another tense match, continuing a pattern this season, as they edged Adelaide United 2-1 on Saturday in front of a vocal 11,240 crowd at Go Media Stadium.
Midfielder Louis Verstraete claimed the winner in the 80th minute, in yet another important intervention from the Belgian. Just like last week it should have been more comfortable, as the home side had the better of the chances.
But it’s another impressive result – and their first win over Adelaide in the club’s history - after two draws last season. There is a sense that momentum is building, ahead of the massive derby clash in Wellington next Saturday.
Auckland will know they need to improve but they are tracking in the right direction. Adelaide brought plenty to the occasion and could have stolen it in the second half, before Verstraete’s moment.
Auckland FC had taken the lead in the 26th minute – as Sam Cosgrove opened his A-League account – and were on top before being stung by Adelaide’s equaliser on halftime through Luka Jovanovic, which came out of nowhere.
That was a shock to everyone – from the players to the Port, especially after Auckland had gone the best part of six matches last season without conceding.
There were good signs, but also moments of early season rust, with the cohesion – especially in the final third, not quite there. Captain Hiroki Sakai was a key loss – leaving the field in the 13th minute with an injury – as they missed his composure, vision and ability to weave a pass.
But the base is still there; the work rate, the drive, the ability to absorb pressure and then find something when it is most needed.
“I thought first half we were excellent,” reflected coach Steve Corica.
“We probably should have finished the game in the first half, but obviously a little slip up just before halftime which was a bit disappointing cause they were excellent the whole time before that.
“But again, it showed great character for us to hang on in the end, cause they’re a very good footballing team, [they] got balls into the box and we defended well.”
Auckland dominated the opening half. They had a strong penalty shout in the fifth minute, as Jesse Randall was clipped by goalkeeper Joshua Smit as he pursued a heavy touch but referee Lachlan Keevers was unmoved, while the VAR choose not to intervene.
“I thought it was a penalty, said Corica. ”But it doesn’t look like we’re gonna get any penalties again this year."
Sakai limped off seven minutes later, clutching his left hamstring, replaced by Callan Elliott, with Corica confirming the Japanese player would miss the Phoenix clash.
Cosgrove was a focal point and had an air swing at a Francis de Vries’ free kick, which prompted some ironic cheers. But he had his moment in the 26th minute, directing his far post header accurately from a narrow angle, after another expert delivery from de Vries.
It was an instant example of why he was recruited, with his 1.94m frame hanging in the air just long enough, above his marker.
“For a striker, you know, getting his first goal - he’s off and running now, which is great,” said Corica
From there, Auckland had several chances to extend their lead. The lively Randall looked the most likely, dragging one shot narrowly wide, then forcing a brilliant save from Smit, as he tipped it onto his post.
Adelaide hadn’t threatened much. Dan Hall and Jake Girdwood-Reich came up with early blocks, while Michael Woud was out quickly to stifle another attack.
Auckland looked fairly safe, before the Adelaide goal, which was a bolt from the blue.
While it was smart play from Luka Jovanovic, as he wriggled past three players before slotting home, it was a poor goal to concede, way below the defensive standards Auckland FC have set, as they seemed to switch off.
“It was sloppy,” said Corica. ”He went around three of us. We could have seen the half out and not conceded but he took the goal really well."
The game stretched out in the second half, as both sides chased victory. Auckland pushed, while Adelaide left men forward, as a sign of their intent.
Randall couldn’t make clean contact from a header, while Jovanovic miscued at the near post. Woud had a nervy moment – fumbling a cross – but the ball was squeezed clear. Chances were coming on the counter attack, without the moment of quality needed.
But that finally came from Verstraete, with an emphatic finish as he was first to a rebound. The opportunity came after a clever May cross, with Randall heading against the near post from close range, before Verstraete pounced.
Auckland FC 2 (Sam Cosgrove 26, Louis Verstraete 80’) Adelaide United 1 (Luka Jovanovic 45) Halftime 1-1