Capital thriller ends goalless

Words: ACFC Media

Sunday 26 January 2020

Picture: Phototek

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Auckland City FC and Team Wellington produced an exciting 0-0 draw as the Navy Blues lead at the top of the ISPS Handa Premiership stays at six points.

Navy Blues coach Jose Figueira sprung a couple of surprises with Brian Kaltak and Conor Tracey restored to the line-up for Mario Ilich and Enaut Zubikarai while there were also starts for new signing Emiliano Tade and Tom Doyle.

Auckland City FC dominated most of the first and were denied the lead by Team Wellington goalkeeper Scott Basalaj on numerous occasions.

Basalaj denied Clayton Lewis from a beautifully struck free-kick towards the end of the first half and was in top form to deny Tade's near post effort.

The Team Wellington skipper pulled of another top save from Rogerson and another from Tade to keep his side in the contest.

Despite the visitors carving out most of the best chances of the half, the home side still retained a threat via sporadic counter attacks but Conor Tracey didn't have a save of note to make in the first half.

Team Wellington, who defended stoutly in the first half, came out of their shell more often in the second half and could've taken the lead when Jack Henry Sinclair's cutback was almost met by Watson with Tracey's goal wide open.

It was end to end thereafter with Justin Gulley having two chances fly just wide of Conor Tracey's upright while at the other end Basalaj denied Bevan with a brilliant save in a one-on-one duel.

Substitute Maro Bonsu-Maro nearly came up with a late winner when he saw his near post effort hit Basalaj's upright before being cleared to safety three minutes into additional time.

Skipper Angel Berlanga was philosophical at the end of an entertaining game that somehow failed to produce a goal.

"I think it was an even game and both teams had chances. We've got a six point lead and we'll take that into next week.

"We had a couple of one on ones but their goalkeeper was outstanding. Team Wellington are a pretty good team and it isn't easy to create chances," he told Sky Sport.

Auckland City FC now begin a sequence of three consecutive home matches, the first of which is against Hamilton Wanderers on February 2, followed by clashes with Wellington Phoenix and then Canterbury United.

On Saturday, Waitakere United downed Tasman United 3-2, Southern United got back to winning ways when they edged past near neighbours Canterbury United 2-1. Eastern Suburbs resurgence continued when they bumped Hamilton Wanderers 3-0 and there was an upset in Napier when the Wellington Phoenix toppled Hawke's Bay United whose form is in freefall.

Ends

Match Result
ISPS Handa Premiership
Sunday 26 January 2020
Team Wellington 0
Auckland City FC 0
HT: 0-0.

AC: 18. Conor TRACEY (GK), 5. Angel BERLANGA (c), 6. Brian KALTAK, 7. Cam HOWIESON, 9. Myer BEVAN, 11. Tom DOYLE, 13. Emiliano TADE (21. Maro BONSU-MARO 79'), 17. Andrew BLAKE, 20. Logan ROGERSON (10. Dylan MANICKUM 74'), 22. Clayton LEWIS (8. Albert RIERA 79'), 23. Alfie ROGERS.

SUBS NOT USED: 1. Enaut ZUBIKARAI (GK), 3. Adam MITCHELL.

COACH: Jose FIGUEIRA.

Other results:

Saturday 25 January 2020
Waitakere United 3-2 Tasman United
Southern United 2-1 Canterbury United

Sunday 26 January 2020
Eastern Suburbs AFC 3-0 Hamilton Wanderers
Hawke's Bay United 0-2 Wellington Phoenix

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