Navy Blues wary of Bay backlash

Words: ACFC Media

Friday 17 January 2020

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC coach Jose Figueira must wait on paperwork to be processed before Tom Doyle and Emiliano Tade can be considered for action against Hawke's Bay United on Sunday.

Doyle, 27, and Tade, 31, both returned to New Zealand after stints abroad in Germany and South Africa eager to make their mark at the Navy Blues but their hopes of reigniting their Kiwitea Street dreams are stymied at least for now.

Figueira, who has one of the strongest Auckland City FC squads in years at his disposal, says patience will be required as the administrative wheels continue to turn.

While that wait might frustrate some coaches - and certainly the two players - Figueira has a glut of riches to choose from with competition for places hotter than ever.

"It's a great position to be in and the squad is looking fit and healthy. The new signings Tom and Emi are regathering full fitness and sharpness quickly but as of today we're still waiting for a green light on their paperwork but there's still a couple of days to go so we'll play it by ear for the next couple of days and see how that pans out," he told www.aucklandcityfc.com.

AUDIO - Jose Figueira gives his views ahead of Hawke's Bay United clash

Hawke's Bay United made a solid start to the season under dual head coaches Chris Greatholder and Bill Robertson but that run has stuttered with back-to-back losses to Hamilton Wanderers prior to Christmas and Team Wellington last week.

The Napier-based side has also had it's issues beating Auckland City FC in the past with just three wins in 36 attempts since 2004-05.

Figueira has worked closely with both Greatholder and Robertson, the latter during his successful tenure at Team Wellington, and says that the defeats at Porritt Stadium and David Farrington Park will be used as motivation to put things right on Sunday.

"Despite their recent slip-ups, Hawke's Bay have been revitalisted and re-energised this season under Chris and Bill, two guys I know well, two guys really get the best out of their players. They set really high standards and they'll encourage a positive and dynamic style of football we've seen so far this season.

"I'm sure the disappointing result last week down in the capital means they'll be coming here really motivated and looking to make life as difficult as possible for us," he said.

The last outing between the two sides produced a close affair with a Myer Bevan hat-trick enough to hand Figueira his first win as head coach and with Bevan back among the goals during last week's 6-2 destruction of Waitakere United that could spell bad news for the visitors with the Navy Blues striker stocks busting at the seams.

Logan Rogerson and Angel Berlanga were both missing from the Super City derby but their return means a jostle for starting slots from back to front with Conor Tracey and Enaut Zubikarai pushing each other all the way in goals.

Figueira was pleased to have Rogerson and Berlanga back.

"Last week, Logan had a bit of an ankle issue and Angel on the morning of the game had a slight issue with his back but both have trained fully and are in contention for Sunday's squad.

"As we stand today the squad is fit and healthy and it gives me the opportunity to look at a few different dynamics and tactical evolutions from last week that we've worked on so we're in a really strong place and I'm happy with how things are progressing.

"The boys are looking forward to get back playing on Kiwitea Street as it feels as if it's been a wee while since we did that. I'm looking forward to a big performance and a great game," he said.

The match kicks off at 2.00pm NZST at Kiwitea Street.

Ends

Match Details
ISPS Handa Premiership
Sunday 19 January 2020
Auckland City FC v Hawke's Bay United
Kiwitea Street, Auckland
Kick-off: 2.00pm NZST.

AC: 1. Enaut ZUBIKARAI (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Mario BILEN, 5. Angel BERLANGA, 6. Brian KALTAK, 7. Cam HOWIESON, 8. Albert RIERA, 9. Myer BEVAN, 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 14. Jordan VALE, 16. Yousif AL-KALISY, 17. Andrew BLAKE, 18. Conor TRACEY (GK), 20. Logan ROGERSON, 21. Maro BONSU-MARO, 22. Clayton LEWIS, 23. Alfie ROGERS, 24. Cam BROWN (GK).

Unavailable: 11. Tom DOYLE, 13. Emiliano TADE (Transfer clearance pending)

COACH: Jose FIGUEIRA.

Other fixtures:

Saturday 18 January 2020
Tasman United v Southern United FC
Lansdowne Park, Blenheim, kick-off: 4.00pm NZST

Sunday 19 January 2020
Canterbury United v Eastern Suburbs AFC
English Park, Christchurch, kick-off: 2.00pm NZST

Hamilton Wanderers v Team Wellington
Porritt Stadium, Hamilton, kick-off: 2.00pm NZST

Wellington Phoenix v Waitakere United
Trusts Porirua Park, kick-off: 2.00pm NZST

PREVIOUS MATCHES

2019-20
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) won 3-2 (Myer BEVAN 3)

2018-19
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) won 4-1 (Fabrizio TAVANO, Micah LEA'ALAFA, Jordan VALE, David BROWNE)
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 2-1 (Dylan MANICKUM, Micah LEA'ALAFA)

2017-18
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) won 3-0 (Alfie ROGERS, Micah LEA'ALAFA, Callum McCOWATT)
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 5-0 (Emiliano TADE 2, Ryan DE VRIES 2, Dan MORGAN)

2016-17
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 1-0 (Micah LEA'ALAFA) - ISPS Handa Premiership Semi-final
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) lost 1-2 (Clayton LEWIS)
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 1-0 (Micah LEA'ALAFA)

2015-16
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) won 3-1 (Ryan DE VRIES 2, Micah LEA'ALAFA)
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) drew 1-1 (Micah LEA'ALAFA)

2014-15
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 2-1 (Ryan DE VRIES, Marko DORDEVIC) - ISPS Handa Premiership Final
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) won 3-0 Emiliano TADE, Ivan VICELICH, Sam BURFOOT)
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 3-2 (Emiliano TADE 2, Fabrizio TAVANO)

2013-14
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) won 4-1 (Emiliano TADE 3, Darren WHITE)
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) drew 4-4 (CRISTOBEL 2, Emilianbo TADE 2)

2012-13
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) drew 1-1 (Pedro GARCIA)
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) drew 1-1 (Alex FENERIDIS)

2011-12
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 3-2 (Chad COOMBES, David MULLIGAN, Luis CORRALES)
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) won 3-1 (Emiliano TADE 2, Manel EXPOSITO)

2010-11
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 5-0 (Adam McGEORGE 3, Stu KELLY, Andrew MILNE)
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) drew 2-2 (Alex FENERIDIS 2)

2009-10
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) won 6-1 (Jason HAYNE 2, Matt WILLIAMS 2, Adam DICKINSON 2)
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 2-1 (Jason HAYNE, Grant YOUNG)

2008-09
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) won 1-0 (Ivan VICELICH)
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 3-1 (Chad COOMBES, Paul URLOVIC 2)

2007-08
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) lost 0-2
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) won 1-0 (Ben SIGMUND)
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 2-0 (Grant YOUNG, Keryn JORDAN)

2006-07
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) drew 2-2 (Grant YOUNG 2)
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 2-1 (Paul URLOVIC, Grant YOUNG)
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 6-2 (Ross McKENZIE, Paul SEAMAN, Keryn JORDAN 2, Grant YOUNG 2)

2005-06
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 6-0 (Liam MULROONEY, Grant YOUNG, Jonathan SMITH, Chad COOMBES 2, Neil SYKES)
v. Hawke's Bay United (A) won 3-0 (Paul URLOVIC, Keryn JORDAN, Own GOAL)
v. Hawke's Bay United (H) won 3-0 (Keryn JORDAN, Paul URLOVIC 2)

2004-05
v. Napier City (H) drew 3-3 (Grant YOUNG 3)
v. Napier City (A) lost 2-4 (Jonathan SMITH, Paul VODANOVICH)
v. Napier City (A) won 3-1 (Jonathan PERRY, Neil SYKES, Heath McCORMACK)