5 Things We Learned From Win Over Tasman

Words: ACFC Media

Tuesday 1 November 2016

ACFC Media looks back on a thumping victory for Ramon Tribulietx's side who cruised to a 4-0 win over Tasman United on Saturday.

Joao Moreira has one of the best touches in the Stirling Sports Premiership

The Portuguese striker, along with the rest of his team-mates, endured a nightmarish start to the season against Waitakere United. Since then, Moreira has been superb against both Team Wellington and Tasman United. His quick feet and deft touch bamboozled his opponents throughout last Saturday's game and despite a bad penalty miss in the first half he played a key role in the subsequent goals that set the Navy Blues on their way to a comfortable victory.

Ryan De Vries is just getting warmed up

When Ryan De Vries arrived at Kiwitea Street he was renowned as a terrific goalscoring striker who liked to play off the shoulder of the last defender and spring defences with his undoubted pace. In his first season at the Navy Blues that goals-to-game ratio stuttered somewhat. Since then, De Vries' scoring rate has been phenomenal with the New Zealand cap picking up last season's golden boot at the rate of nearly a goal-a-game. The only disappointing aspect of his match against Tasman United was that he didn’t find the net more than once. He not only terrorised the Tasman United centrehalves, he continually found space running at the heart of the opposing back-line in wide areas and should be an absolute nightmare for defences throughout New Zealand this season.

Navy Blues have plenty of depth at the domestic level

From what we’ve witnessed in the first three league games, there’s plenty of talent available in reserve for the Navy Blues to reach their objective of dominating football matches. Daewook Kim and Takuya Iwata were not available, and coach Ramon Tribulietx had to stitch together a patchwork defence with Alfie Rogers and All Whites man Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi slotting in. Reid Drake, Nicolai Berry and Harry Edge all came into the reckoning with the match comfortably won, a good sign the Navy Blues youthful Kiwi contingent will make their presence felt this season with Clayton Lewis yet to come back into the side.

There’s no set way of playing Auckland City FC

Tasman United attacked and pressed Auckland City FC and were burned by a combination of late counter attack and possession. They had a few chances at the other end, but could equally have been hammered by a greater scoreline. Fans always believe there’s a better way of playing Auckland City FC - usually to attack rather than defend - but the fact remains that when they are on their game they're a tough nut to crack at Kiwitea Street. Tasman United have probably never faced that style of football before and showed enough quality to suggest that, on their day, they could take points of any opponent in the league.

Enaut Zubikarai is brave

The arrival of Enaut Zubikarai in the winter transfer window had many asking what qualities he would bring to the club after Diego Rivas held the number one position. It was expected the former Real Sociedad stopper would be useful with the ball at his feet at least. However, he’s so far managed to prove he's as brave as they come after getting a head knock in the 5-1 win over Melbourne City A in pre-season. Zubikarai is powerful in the air, unafraid to throw himself into shots at point blank range and, as you'd expect, shows himself to be a strong personality. Yes, he lost one goal to Waitakere United, but that one was hardly his fault and he's shown so far that his reactions and reading of the game remain key assets.