Lachlan Brook celebrates scoring against the Wellington Phoenix. Photo / Photosport
This was the day the Kiwi A-League derby truly arrived.
The other four chapters have been compelling – to different degrees – but this was an absolute beauty.
While Auckland FC prevailed again – with a 3-1 victory on Saturday night – the final scoreline doesn’t reflect the intensity of the contest, with the drama breathtaking at times in the second half.
The match had everything. A red card, penalties, a penalty save and some brilliant goals.
While Auckland were good value for their victory, the match turned on three controversial moments in the second half that all went against the Wellington Phoenix.
Defender Manjrekar James was sent off in the 47th minute before two questionable penalties were awarded to Auckland, the second of which led to a goal by Francis de Vries.
But ultimately the outcome was down to Auckland’s big match temperament as yet again they mastered the occasion in front of a 22,993 crowd.
They took their now customary early lead – through Lachlan Brook in the seventh minute – before Alex Rufer’s stunning 55th minute equaliser with a Steven Gerrard-esque shot.
But de Vries’ goal got Auckland back in front in the 72nd minute and Guillermo May’s strike ended any resistance eight minutes later.
The second half was crazy and Wellington almost conjured an unlikely second equaliser before their hopes were ended.
It’s a big result for Steve Corica’s team, just the lift they need before three games on the road.
Though they were profligate at times, their attack was perhaps the best it has been this season with sweeping moves and 16 shots (eight on target) compared with four and two respectively for the Phoenix.
Josh Oluwayemi was outstanding in goal for Wellington, keeping his team in it for long periods, while Auckland were industrious across the park, with Logan Rogerson enjoying his return to the big time after his dismissal in the capital, and their defence strong.
Corica had made two important changes to the starting XI, with Brook employed at No 10 and Rogerson back in action.
Before the goal, Wellington had made a bright start. With their fans encouraged, Carlo Armiento put a shot just wide of the near post before another effort forced a corner.
But moments after that set piece came another defensive disaster for the Phoenix that led to Brook’s goal.
It was a beautiful move, but preventable. Wellington were guilty of pushing too high and Auckland broke.
Callan Elliott beat Lukas Kelly-Heald too easily, Dan Edwards couldn’t stay with Rogerson and then no one tracked Brook, who finished crisply. It was a peach of a goal made by Rogerson’s vision – and another gut punch for the Phoenix.
Their fans fell silent for a spell, while the rest of Go Media stadium erupted.
From there, Auckland had several first-half chances but Wellington were limited to hopeful balls, sweating on a mistake that rarely came. Brook broke free – with his effort well saved – and a smashed Jesse Randall free kick was tipped over the bar.
Edwards almost got away but was reeled in by Elliott, while Auckland almost beat the high line again, with Oluwayemi out to save the day.
A major flashpoint came with James’ dismissal. James, who had just switched to a central position following an injury to Isaac Hughes, clumsily fouled Sam Cosgrove after losing track of the English striker.
Things looked dire from there and chances came to Randall (twice), Rogerson and Cosgrove, with Oluwayemi prominent as a one man wall.
But from nowhere, Wellington were back in it. Substitute Corban Piper forced a point-blank save from Michael Woud before Rufer’s magic moment with a piledriver from the edge of the area when Auckland FC failed to clear a corner. This prompted the pocket of Phoenix fans to almost lift the roof off the west stand.
From there the game went a bit nuts. Louis Verstraete had a shot cleared off the line by Kelly-Heald and then came the first penalty, a VAR-inspired decision after Ifeanyi Eze tangled Cosgrove to the ground in the area.
Oluwayemi then made a spectacular save, diving to his left in front of the Port.
Minutes later Auckland had another spot kick, with Edwards adjudged to have pushed Cosgrove over as he hunted a cross, in what seemed like a soft penalty.
Oluwayemi almost worked his magic again – parrying the well-struck effort from de Vries – but the All Whites defender tucked in the rebound.
The Phoenix never stopped fighting – and Najjarine went close from an Eze cross – but the dam finally burst with the excellent third goal, as May, minutes after coming on, volleyed home at the far post after Cosgrove’s intelligent header.
Auckland FC 3 (Lachlan Brook 7’, Francis de Vries 72’ , Guillermo May 80’)
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Alex Rufer 55’) Halftime 1-0
Michael Burgess has been a sports journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.