Auckland FC will view this as a missed opportunity, but they have done enough to extend their unbeaten run to five matches after coming from behind to draw 2-2 with the visiting Perth Glory.
The Black Knights dominated possession at Mt Smart and createdmore opportunities, but couldn’t find a winner against Perth, who have proven to be a tricky side for Auckland to combat this season.
Afterwards though, it will feel like a defeat, as a win would have left them two points behind the ladder-leading Newcastle Jets heading into next Saturday’s top-of-the-table away clash, but regardless of that outcome now, they won’t be able to go top.
It was always going to be tough facing the Jets, who have already beaten Auckland twice this season, and another win would see them go seven points clear, a margin which would feel impossible to make it.
“Six games to go, it’s plenty of time,” Auckland captain Francis de Vries told Sky Sport after the match.
“Obviously we were hoping for a win today, give reward [to] the fans that have shown up on a busy Auckland Sunday, but [we’re] looking forward to the next game. We go to Newcastle, so that’ll be a big one.
“I thought we battled hard and especially after going down, we were in their half most of the time and pushing for the second then the third and [it] didn’t quite happen today, but I’m sure it will next time.”
Both teams got off to a slow start, but it was the hosts who opened the scoring with the first chance of the game when the ball landed at the feet of Sam Cosgrove, who fired a shot from outside the box, which found the back of the net, his eighth of the season.
Auckland should have had a second 10 minutes later, but Rogerson blasted the shot over the goal, and while their defence was suffocating Perth, it took the visitors nearly 40 minutes to finally get a shot.
Shortly after, Perth levelled when Vanuatu international Brian Kaltack scored from a corner, outmuscling Dan Hall to score at the far post in his 100th A-League match, which saw the match locked up at 1-1 at the break.
Cosgrove had the first chance to score to start the second half, but his close-range header was tipped over the crossbar.
Stefan Colakovski scored one of Perth's goals. Photo / Photosport
But the visitors would end up silencing the Auckland crowd when Stefan Colakovski found himself unmarked in the box to smash it into the next, although he received a yellow card for his efforts, celebrating in front of The Port, which was to be expected from the former Wellington Phoenix striker.
It didn’t take long for Auckland to respond and level the match when De Vries’ cross was hammered home by Cosgrove, although it wasn’t initially given by referee Declan Woods for a foul in the build-up.
However, upon further inspection from the Video Assistant Referee, the on-field decision was overturned, although it was credited as an own goal from Glory Keeper Matthew Sutton.
Auckland had the better chances of both sides to close out the remaining 30 minutes but couldn’t find a winner.
Up next are the Jets, who claimed 2-1 and 3-1 wins over Auckland this season, while Sydney FC are also hot on the heels of the Black Knights, only three points behind in third, with six games remaining this season.
