Figueira returns for Team Wellington crunch tie

Words: ACFC Media

Friday 8 November 2019

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC head coach Jose Figueira returns from international duty just in time for a showdown with a very familiar foe on Sunday.

The Navy Blues face a mouthwatering clash with grand final runners-up Team Wellington with Figueira set to line up against his old charges for the first time since making the switch back to Auckland.

Figueira led Central United to the 2016 Lotto NRFL Premier Division title before taking over the reigns from Matt Calcott at Team Wellington.

Figueira built on Calcott's league title success by successfully defending that championship and then delivered the biggest trophy of all - the OFC Champions League and a FIFA Club World Cup berth in the UAE.

In his final season, Figueira's Team Wellington rolled Auckland City FC out of the ISPS Handa Premiership title race with a emphatic 3-1 win over the Navy Blues in a semi-final meltdown at Kiwitea Street.

AUDIO - "It's great to have Jose Figueira back" - Ivan Vicelich

Away with the New Zealand U-17 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil, Figueira's hands-on duties have been taken on by Navy Blues legends and assistant coach Ivan Vicelich.

The 88-cap All White was happy to pick up a 3-2 win over Hawke's Bay United in his one and only outing as stand-in first team coach but is more than pleased to hand over to Figueira when he takes training on Saturday morning.

"After a tough pre-season I was very happy for the guys to get three points. They worked very hard in that game in Napier and came off the pitch knackered and scored three good goals and it was great to see.

"The three points are always valuable but we've worked hard on a few things during the week and hopefully we're in a good space to prepare with one more session before the game on the weekend," he said.

While Vicelich has led from the front during Figueira's absence, he was quick to point out that technology has bridged the gap created by time and distance with both committing to deep discussion via instant messaging and video analysis of training and games.

He also said the idea of facing Team Wellington was one that excited everyone involved in domestic football.

"We've been in contact right through watching and discussing video of games and training so Jose has been involved all the way. It's good to have him back and that will be a big lift for the players.

"I think the two teams will be similar. The two head coaches have worked together before for a couple of years. Scott has worked well with the team. We watched their game and they've scored some goals and I expect Sunday to be a battle and a good one for people to come along and watch.

"It's an exciting game for him to return for against his old club. We're looking forward to getting out there on Sunday. Kiwitea Street is looking great and good to finally kick the ball at our home field," he said.

In other action, Wellington Phoenix host Hawke's Bay United at Trusts Park in Porirua at 1pm NZST, Canterbury United and Southern United face off in the all-South Island derby at English Park in Christchurch while Hamilton Wanderers meet Eastern Suburbs AFC at Porritt Stadium. Waitakere United travel to Nelson's Saxton Field to take on Tasman United. All matches kick-off at 2pm NZST.

The game kicks-off at 4.00pm NZST at Kiwitea Street on Sunday 10 November 2019.

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport.

Ends

Match Details
ISPS Handa Premiership
Sunday 10 November 2019
Auckland City FC v Team Wellington
Kiwitea Street, Auckland
Kick-off: 4.00pm NZST
Live on Sky Sport

AC: 1. Enaut ZUBIKARAI (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Mario BILEN, 6. Brian KALTAK, 7. Cam HOWIESON, 9. Myer BEVAN, 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 11. Keegan LINDERBOOM, 14. Jordan VALE, 16.Yousif ALI, 17. Andrew BLAKE, 18. Conor TRACEY (GK), 20. Logan ROGERSON, 21. Maro BONSU-MARO, 23. Alfie ROGERS, 24. Cameron BROWN (GK).

COACH: Jose FIGUEIRA.

*Please note the Auckland City FC squad will be finalised on Saturday 9 November 2019.

Other matches:

Sunday 10 November 2019
Wellington Phoenix v Hawke's Bay United
Trusts Park, Porirua - kick-off: 1pm NZST

Canterbury United v Southern United
English Park, Christchurch - kick-off: 2pm NZST

Hamilton Wanderers v Eastern Suburbs AFC
Porritt Stadium, Hamilton - kick-off: 2pm NZST

Tasman United v Waitakere United
Saxton Field, Nelson - kick-off: 2pm NZST

Previous meetings:

2018-19
v. Team Wellington (H) won 4-3 (Cam HOWIESON, Javier LOPEZ, Dan MORGAN, Micah LEA'ALAFA)
v. Team Wellington (A) won 2-1 (Maro BONSU-MARO 2)
v. Team Wellington (H) lost 1-3 (Angel BERLANGA) [semi-final]

2017-18
v. Team Wellington (A) lost 1-3 (Kris BRIGHT)
v. Team Wellington (H) drew 0-0
v. Team Wellington (N) won 1-0 (Callum McCOWATT) [grand final]

2016-17
v. Team Wellington (H) won 4-0 (Emiliano TADE, Joao MOREIRA 2, Ryan DE VIES)
v. Team Wellington (A) won 3-1 (Ryan DE VIES, Emiliano TADE 2)
v. Team Wellington (N) lost 1-2 (Emiliano TADE) [grand final]

2015-16
v. Team Wellington (H) won 1-0 (Clayton LEWIS)
v. Team Wellington (A) drew 2-2 (Emiliano TADE 2_)
v. Team Wellington (N) lost 2-4 (Joao MOREIRA, Dae Wook KIM) [grand final]

2014-15
v. Team Wellington (A) lost 0-4
v. Team Wellington (H) won 3-0 (John IRVING, Ivan CRRIL, Oscar GARCIA)

2013-14
v. Team Wellington (A) won 4-1 (Darren WHITE, David BROWNE, Mario BILEN, Alex FENERIDIS)
v. Team Wellington (H) won 3-2 (Emiliano TADE 2, Ryan DE VIES)
v. Team Wellington (N) won 1-0 (Emiliano TADE) [grand final]

OFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

2018
v. Team Wellington (A) drew 0-0
v. Team Wellington (H) drew 2-2 (Emiliano TADE, Scott HILLIAR OGH)

2017
v. Team Wellington (H) won 3-0 (Joao MOREIRA 2, Ryan DE VIES)
v. Team Wellington (A) won 2-0 (Ryan DE VRIES, Emiliano TADE)

2016
v. Team Wellington (H) won 3-0 (Micah LEA'ALAFA 2, Clayton LEWIS)

2015
v. Team Wellington (N) drew 1-1* (Joao MOREIRA)
* Auckland City FC won 5-4 on penalties