Lewis available for Wanderers clash
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC hit the road again when they take the short trip south to face Hamilton Wanderers at Cambridge's John Kerkof Park on Saturday.
The Navy Blues have dominated head-to-head clashes between the two clubs since Hamilton Wanderers joined the top flight but last week's boil over 3-0 victory for Ricki Herbert's side over defending champions Eastern Suburbs AFC has turned a few heads.
Coach Jose Figueira has kept a close eye on Hamilton Wanderers ever since the two clubs clashed in a pre-season friendly at Auckland Grammar School back in September.
"It's a fantastic result for Hamilton to beat Eastern Suburbs - it was the result of the round and I'm sure Ricki was delighted with the way his team bounced back after their opening defeat away to Team Wellington.
AUDIO - Lewis available for Wanderers showdown
"It highlighted all of Hamilton's strengths. They're very dangerous going foward. They're a quick mobile and athletic in the attacking lines of their team and looking at the game it was a result they thoroughly deserved and a really strong performance.
"It's early in the season to be making predictions of final positions but one thing is clear to see in both rounds so far there's been some really close games and big results.
"I think that's down to the amount of changes in squad personnel and coaches. Bar a couple in Southern United and Wellington Phoenix.
"A lot of teams are trying to get their systems in place and established and I think it bodes well for the competition as a whole - every game is a big game.
"We're going into this weekend knopwing we have to be right at the top of our game. We want to build on our opening day win and our strong finish that we had last week to secure a point.
"We want to carry on that momentum this weekend and we have no injury concerns," he said.
Figueira's squad is close to full strength with only goalkeeper Enaut Zubikarai unavailable.
Zubikarai has returned to Spain for family reasons. The 35-year-old former La Liga ace is expected to return to New Zealand although no timeframe is attached to that.
"Everybody at Auckland City FC wishes Enaut all the best and we look forward to seeing him back in action in the not too distant future," Figueira said.
"We saw the reintroduction of Angel Berlanga and David Browne back into the match day squad two players we've managed over the past couple of weeks. They're now fully fit and ready for selection.
MATCH PREVIEW - @Clayton_Lewis10 available for Wanderers showdown#AllWhites midfielder Clayton Lewis is available for selection with Angel Berlanga & David Browne also fully fit
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) November 15, 2019
#StrengthInUnity
https://t.co/ETI09VoWSC (Audio)
https://t.co/u4I2L0I13d (Preview) pic.twitter.com/EfxQf4skJ8
"Clayton Lewis' transfer and registration is cleared and he is another name to throw into the hat for selection.
"As things stand we're looking really strong, really healthy and a group of players eager to be selected and get out there on the pitch," he told www.aucklandcityfc.com.
In the National Youth League, Auckland City FC take on Hamilton Wanderers in what is essentially a knock-out match after the latter suffered their first loss of the season.
The Junior Navy Blues were on the wrong side of a 2-1 home defeat to Team Wellington and sit six points adrift of table toppers
Waitakere United. The National Youth League match kicks off at John Kerkof Park at 11am NZST.
The ISPS Handa Premiership match kicks off at 2pm NZST.
Ends
Match Details
ISPS Handa Premiership
Saturday 16 November 2019
Hamilton Wanderers v Auckland City FC
John Kerkof Park, Cambridge
Kick-off: 2pm NZST
AC: 18. Conor TRACEY (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Mario BILEN, 5. Angel BERLANGA, 6. Brian KALTAK, 7. Cam HOWIESON, 9. Myer BEVAN, 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 11. Keegan LINDERBOOM, 14. Jordan VALE, 16.Yousif ALI, 17. Andrew BLAKE, 19. David BROWNE, 20. Logan ROGERSON, 21. Maro BONSU-MARO, 22. Clayton LEWIS, 23. Alfie ROGERS, 24. Cameron BROWN (GK).
COACH: Jose FIGUEIRA.
Auckland City FC's full travelling squad for the Hamilton Wanderers match will be named on Saturday 16 November 2019.
Other matches:
Waitakere Unitec v Canterbury United
Seddon Field, Auckland - kick-off: 3pm NZST
Hawke's Bay United v Tasman United
Bluewater Stadium, Napier - kick-off: 4pm NZST (Live on Sky Sport)
Southern United v Eastern Suburbs AFC
Logan Park, Dunedin - kick-off: 4pm NZST
Playing Sunday 17 November 2019
Team Wellington v Wellington Phoenix
David Farrington Park - kick-off: 2pm NZST
Previous meetings:
2018-19
v. Hamilton Wanderers (H) won 3-2 (David BROWNE, Maro BONSU-MARO, Cam HOWIESON)
v. Hamilton Wanderers (A) won 1-0 (Maro BONSU-MARO)
2017-18
v. Hamilton Wanderers (H) won 6-0 (Callum McCOWATT, Ryan DE VRIES 2, Emiliano TADE 3, Own Goal)
v. Hamilton Wanderers (A) won 1-0 (Micah LEA'ALAFA)
2016-17
v. Hamilton Wanderers (A) won 5-0 (Joao MOREIRA 2, Emiliano TADE 2, Ryan DE VIES)
v. Hamilton Wanderers (H) won 4-1 (Emiliano TADE, Clayton LEWIS 2, Fabrizio TAVANO)
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Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 15 |
| 2 |  | WS | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 12 |
| 3 |  | BU | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 9 |
| 4 |  | BO | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| 5 |  | MN | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 7 |
| 6 |  | AU | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 |  | ES | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| 8 |  | TC | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 3 |
| 9 |  | MU | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 3 |
| 10 |  | WR | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 2 |
| 11 |  | HW | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 1 |
| 12 |  | EB | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
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