Auckland FC fans will wake up to a strange feeling on Saturday morning.
For the first time since the club made their debut in October 2024, Auckland FC have lost an A-League match after holding the lead. That was one of a few statistics that built the dust in Friday’s 2-1 loss to Melbourne City.
It was also their first away defeat of the season, their first loss at AAMI Park and only their third reverse away from home in their existence. A tough night was capped by the sight of captain Hiroki Sakai leaving the field just before the break, with the immediate fear he has injured his hamstring again.
Auckland FC had looked in control after Lachlan Brook’s superb goal just before halftime, made by one of the passes of the season from Jesse Randall.
But Melbourne City grabbed an equaliser with a 70th-minute penalty from Max Caputo and Medin Memeti scored the late winner after a break down the left. Goalkeeper Michael Woud will be under the microscope for the second Melbourne City goal as he looked well placed to close down the danger but stayed on his line.
However, coach Steve Corica will be more concerned about how his team handed the initiative back to the home side in the second half. Auckland stay top of the A-League ladder, though Sydney are closing and have games in hand. Melbourne City had been struggling coming into this match but still have an impressive squad and the reigning champions flexed their muscles in the second half.
Corica made one change to his starting XI, with Felipe Gallegos brought in for Cam Howieson. Auckland FC dominated the first half, with the home side only managing one shot across the period. Melbourne City had plenty of possession but little end product and struggled to find a passage through the well-drilled defence. Randall was often a focal point and he forced a strong save from Patrick Beach just after the half-hour mark with a shot at the keeper’s near post.
The winger came closer in the 43rd minute when his whipped corner bounced off the top of the crossbar with the goalkeeper deceived and well beaten. A few minutes earlier Sam Cosgrove had climbed highest to meet a Francis de Vries’ free kick but directed his header narrowly wide of the target.
The goal was a beauty, made by Randall’s superb pass and a brilliant run from Brook. Not much had looked on when Randall had been released by Logan Rogerson and sprinted over halfway, but the winger checked his run before spotting Brook, who nudged his neat finish past Beach.
A flashpoint came just after halftime with the penalty awarded to Melbourne City after a VAR check. It was unfortunate as the driven shot from Andreas Kuen struck Francis de Vries’ arm, but consistent with current interpretations. Caputo slotted the spot kick home with aplomb, sending Woud the wrong way.
De Vries also suffered a head knock soon afterwards, as Melbourne City began to lift, with Callan Elliott managing a great tackle to shut down a dangerous move. They went close again – with a shot clipped just wide of the post – before Corica introduced Jake Girdwood-Reich, Jake Brimmer and Guillermo May.
There was something brewing though and the home side took full advantage, with Memeti nodding home after an Aziz Behich break. It came from a delightful long ball to release Behich, though Woud hesitated when he probably should have come to punish the defender’s heavy touch. Instead he stayed on his line and was isolated. Still, Auckland had late opportunities in added time. Randall broke but couldn’t find a teammate, while Dan Hall headed over the bar.
Melbourne City 2 (Max Caputo pen 70’, Medin Memeti 81′)
Auckland FC 1 (Lachlan Brook 45+2′)
Halftime 0-1