Newstalk ZB
Auckland FC have reached their Everest. In just their second season – and only 800 days since the club was officially launched – they are the A-League champions. It’s a stunning achievement, one they will take a while to sink in – but for now we just need to celebrate. On an unforgettable night at Go Media Stadium – in front of more than 28,000 fans – Auckland FC have beaten Sydney FC 1-0. Midfielder Cam Howieson was the unlikely hero, scoring the decisive goal just before the hour mark. It was an incredible moment for the local product, who had never previously found the net at A-League level. The result means the A-League trophy will finally come to these shores, more than two decades after a New Zealand team entered the competition. It’s also a sweet moment for coach Steve Corica, who becomes the first head coach to win three A-League championships – and against his former club. “Absolutely amazing - What a night, reflected a jubilant Corica. ”Obviously a lot of pressure on the boys as well being at home [but] they handled it really well. It was amazing the atmosphere out there. The game was a bit scrappy obviously, but that’s grand finals. Sometimes they’re not pretty. It’s about the desire, wanting to win every second ball, every ball that goes up, and we showed that." It was a typical final, fiercely contested, though opened up in the second half. Auckland were good value for the win – with the better chances – and Jesse Randall missed a golden opportunity late in the match. But the triumph, like almost everything Auckland have achieved, was built on their defensive solidity. Dan Hall was the outstanding figure on the field – with a number of vital tackles and blocks – but the rest of the back five weren’t far behind. There were warriors across the park, principally Howieson and Louis Verstraete, who were outnumbered but never yielded. Corica named an unchanged XI for the final , which meant a back five again and Francis de Vries on the bench. The crowd started building at 530pm, more than two hours before kick-off. The Port came early too – with their Oasis inspired banner “We see things you’ll never see” a dig at the Wellington Phoenix. The weather was perfect, impressing the large Australian broadcast contingent, including A-League legend Archie Thompson. It was all set up for Auckland FC but Sydney had been in hot form since new coach Patrick Kisnorbo took over in March and they hadn’t lost an A-League away match in more than three months. There was an electric atmosphere at kick off, with chants of Auckland, Auckland reverberating around the capacity crowd. Hall managed crucial early block – setting a pattern for the night – while Sam Cosgrove was pushed to the ground in the penalty area but referee Alex King waved away appeals from the home side. Auckland FC players celebrate with the fans. Photo / Photosport It was tight and cagey. Auckland had half chances – Verstraete was tackled on the edge of the area, then Howieson just failed to capitalise on a Harrison Devenish-Meares slip up.Sydney were taking chances in their own area – trying to draw Auckland in – and looked dangerous on the break. But the home side had the initiative, though captain Hiroki Sakai implored them to calm down. Randall threatened to get away a couple of times – but was reeled in – before he finally cut inside to get free just before halftime, his thumping shot too close to the keeper. Auckland were up for it, flying into challenges, with one of Howieson’s (legal) tackles like something out of a Merseyside derby. Elliot and Verstraete were others to make their physical presence felt. But there was warning just before the break, with Hall across to clear, as two Sydney attackers raced through. Randall was away again early in the second half – but well covered – before Hall saved Nando Pijnaker’s blushes with a vital interception. Tiago Quintal was lucky to avoid sanction, after a late challenge on Hall, with Verstraete picking up the f...
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