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Doyle, Tade cleared to face Team Wellington

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 25 January 2020

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC's ISPS Handa Premiership title chase goes under the microscope when the Navy Blues collide with Team Wellington in the capital on Sunday.

Tom Doyle and Emiliano Tade are both cleared to make appearances at David Farrington Park but whether or not they start the game is something coach Jose Figueira is keeping close to his chest.

With a full squad to choose from, and arguably one of Auckland City FC's strongest in recent seasons, Figueira has the luxury of a tough selection call.

"It's great to have Tom and Emi cleared and ready to play. They've both been champing at the bit to get playing and now to have the boxes ticked and have them available is fantastic.

"Two players with a huge amount of quality and experience and despite not having played look really sharp and hungry to help the team continue forward momentum.

"They're travelling with us on Sunday and we'll make a decision closer to the day whether or not that is in a starting capacity or minutes off the bench but regardless having them there is really important for us.

AUDIO - Jose Figueira lifts the lid on squad selection ahead of Team Wellington showdown

"It's the first time going back to David Farrington Park for me since leaving the club I'm sure the welcome will be a nice one on arrival," he told www.aucklandcityfc.com.

Figueira himself returns to David Farrington Park for the first time since he left the club in August last year and while he admits to a faint sense of nostalgia he is under no illusions as to how difficult a task both he and the Navy Blues face.

"Knowing how passionate those guys are down there I'm sure if we get a positive result we are after they won't be so welcoming.

"But I'm looking forward to heading down there, there are a lot of familiar faces and people I am friends with that I stay in touch with and I have a lot of good memories there and it will be a special day.

"I have a lot of fond memories from a football perspective and a personal perspective. Both of our children were born in Wellington but in terms of the club winning the ISPS Handa Premiership title in my first season was a special moment. Winning the first OFC Champions League title and leading Team Wellington to the FIFA Club World Cup are memories I'll hold onto forever.

"But our focus is here and now and Team Wellington are a big challenge, moreso after their result last weekend and losing ground on us, they'll be fired up and ready and it should be a fantastic game between two top clubs," he said.

The last time the two teams met, Auckland City FC were fortunate to nick a late equaliser through Logan Rogerson in a 2-2 draw, but it's obvious both teams have evolved considerably since that meeting back in November. And Figueira was quick to praise the work of Team Wellington coach Scott Hales.

"It's clear to see the transition from the end of my time with the club to Scott Hales has been a smooth one.
"Scott shares some similar beliefs and visions of the game as me and some of those remain at Team Wellington in terms of building up from the back, dominate possession and aggressive in attack.

"But it's also clear Scott has stamped his own mark on the team and it's clear that's happened more as the weeks have gone by," he said.

The game kicks off at 4.00pm NZST and is live on Sky Sport.

Ends

Match Details
ISPS Handa Premiership
Sunday 26 January 2020
Team Wellington v Auckland City FC
David Farrington Park, Wellington
Kick-off: 4.00pm NZST

AC: 1. Enaut ZUBIKARAI (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Mario BILEN, 5. Angel BERLANGA (c), 6. Brian KALTAK, 7. Cam HOWIESON, 8. Albert RIERA, 9. Myer BEVAN, 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 11. Tom DOYLE, 13. Emiliano TADE, 14. Jordan VALE, 16. Yousif ALI, 17. Andrew BLAKE, 18. Conor TRACY (GK), 20. Logan ROGERSON, 21. Maro BONSU-MARO, 22. Clayton LEWIS, 23. Alfie ROGERS, 24. Cam BROWN (GK).

COACH: Jose FIGUEIRA.

*Finalised squad to be confirmed.

Other matches:

Saturday 25 January, 2020
Southern United v Canterbury United
Logan Park, Dunedin - kick-off: 1.00pm

Waitakere United v Tasman United
Seddon Fields, Auckland - kick-off: 5.00pm

Sunday 26 January, 2020
Hawke's Bay United v Wellington Phoenix
Bluewater Stadium, Napier - kick-off: 2.00pm

Eastern Suburbs AFC v Hamilton Wanderers
Madills Farm, Auckland - kick-off: 4.00pm

Previous meetings:

2019-20
v. Team Wellington (H) drew 2-2 (Myer BEVAN, Logan ROGERSON)

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