Thrashing flatters visitors

Words: ACFC Media

Sunday 16 February 2020

Picture: Phototek

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC swept Canterbury United aside 5-1 at Kiwitea Street today with the visitors lucky not to take an even heavier beating.

The Navy Blues didn't make a convincing start but still took the lead after Myer Bevan set up Emiliano tade who thrashed an unstoppable shot past Danny Knight after just seven minutes.

Canterbury United responded almost immediately with a chance of their own when George King sped down the Navy Blues right before drawing a sharp save from Enaut Zubikarai.

VIDEO - Brian Kaltak doubles the lead 

The lead was doubled seven minutes later after a spate of corners saw Brian Kaltak tap in unmarked at the far post after Dylan Manickum's shot was deflected into his path.

Canterbury's afternoon worsened when Myer Bevan ripped the Dragons defence apart before lashing home on the half hour mark, his shot hitting the upright before the back of the net.

VIDEO - Myer Bevan makes it 3-0

The visitors had scarcely recovered before Knight was picking the ball out of the net for a fourth time after Jordan Vale notched a superb goal to seal the result before the break.

The only setback in an otherwise pleasing first half for Auckland City FC was Cam Howieson's caution that takes the All Whites midfielder over the threshold for a one match suspension.

Canterbury's horror first half ended in awful fashion for the visitors when Alfie Rogers blasted home the fifth just prior to the break.

Jose Figueira threw Albert Riera into the action following Howieson's booking with one eye on getting minutes into his squad's legs ahead of the OFC Champions League in Tahiti in two weeks time.

Canterbury United's best chance in the second half came when Jacob Richards fired in a long range shot that Zubikarai parried clear.

The Dragons had a second opportunity to grab a consolation when Tom Schwarz blazed a header over the top from an Aaron Clapham freekick seconds later.

A dour second half was eventually livened when Clapham scored a brilliant long range goal that gave Zubikarai no hope and handed the visitors a much needed consolation.

Auckland City FC's low key second half saw the Navy Blues miss out on a record-breaking margin of victory over Canterbury United with the two best previous wins achieved in 2004 and 2008 when the Kiwitea Street side thumped the Dragons 5-0.

The victory did continue Auckland City FC's undefeated run in the ISPS Handa Premiership regular season with Figueira's side now unbeaten in 49 matches dating back to 15 October, 2017, when they lost 3-1 to Team Wellington at David Farrington Park.

The Navy Blues next match is away to Tasman United on Sunday 23 February, 2020, at Trafalgar Park, Nelson, at 2.00pm NZST.

Ends

Match Result
ISPS Handa Premiership
Sunday 16 February, 2020
Auckland City FC 5 (Emiliano TADE 7', Brian KALTAK 14', Myer BEVAN 32', Jordan VALE 35', Alfie ROGERS 43')
Canterbury United 1 (Aaron CLAPHAM 78')
HT: 5-0.

AC: 1. Enaut ZUBIKARAI (GK), 2. Mario LICH, 5. Angel BERLANGA (c), 6. Brian KALTAK, 7. Cam HOWIESON (8. Albert RIERA 46'), 9. Myer BEVAN (20. Logan ROGERSON 58'), 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 11. Tom DOYLE, 13. Emiliano TADE (22. Clayton LEWIS 67'), 14. Jordan VALE, 23. Alfie ROGERS.

SUBS NOT USED: 18. Conor TRACEY (GK), 3. Adam MITCHELL.

COACH: Jose FIGUEIRA.

OTHER RESULTS:

ISPS Handa Premiership

Saturday 15 February, 2020
Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Hamilton Wanderers
Southern United 2-1 Waitakere United

OFC Champions League

Saturday 15 February, 2020
Lae City 3-3 Henderson Eels
Lautoka 1-1 Malampa Revivors

Sunday 16 February, 2020
Galaxy FC 4-1 Hienghene Sport
Eastern Suburbs AFC v Hekari United 

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