Super City derby rivalry ends with draw

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 27 February 2021

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC ended the Super City derby rivalry with Waitakere United in dramatic fashion after a pulsating 2-2 draw at Kiwitea Street today.

Coach Jose Figueira opted to rest Mario Ilich and skipper Cam Howieson with youth product Aidan Carey earning a start.

Waitakere United made a spirited start and in direct fashion early on with their press nearly catching out Cam Brown in possession.

Defender Brian Kaltak was also forced into a timely intervention to prevent a Leon Van Den Hoven shot on goal.

Auckland City FC are always an attacking threat at any time and Logan Rogerson provided a warning for the visitors with a slaloming solo run and shot saved by Nick Draper.

Just a minute later Rogerson proved the point when he opened the scoring with a fine finish on 17 minutes.

Draper was in action on the half hour with a superb double save from Dylan Manickum and then Mohamed Awad.

United started the second half with the same intensity as the first and deservedly equalised via Dane Schnell.

17' | 1-0

GOAL!!! Logan Rogerson gives the #NavyBlues the lead here at Kiwitea Street. #ACvWU #ISPSHandaPrem #NavyBlues #StrengthInUnity pic.twitter.com/PgzlBvvmVj
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) February 27, 2021

The Navy Blues restored their advantage after another piece of Rogerson brilliance set up Mohamed Awad who dragged his shot in at the far post with Draper stranded on 62 minutes.

United's next best chance came on 83 minutes when Regont Murati forced a brilliant save out of Cam Brown who tipped the ball over the bar from close range with an outstretched right hand.

Brown made two further saves of equal importance and quality but could not prevent Jack Duncan from levelling deep into injury time.

Duncan's goal thus ended the regular season Super City derby rivalry between Auckland City FC and Waitakere United that lasted 17 years.

Waitakere United now face a nervous wait to see if they carry on to next week's semi-final.

A win in Napier for Eastern Suburbs AFC would see them leapfrog Waitakere United into the last playoff spot and set up a winner takes all Gridlock Derby.

However, that fixture was postponed after New Zealand went into lock down, thus preventing Eastern Suburbs AFC travelling to Napier for the match with Hawke's Bay United at Bluewater Stadium.

Team Wellington secured a home semi-final after a thrilling 3-2 win over Hamilton Wanderers to set up a repeat meeting next week between the clubs.

Canterbury United's tenure in the top flight of New Zealand football is over despite a 5-1 home win over Wellington Phoenix.

The exact kick off time for Auckland City FC's semi-final, and confirmation of their semi-final opponents, will be announced soon.

Ends

Match Result
ISPS Handa Premiership
Saturday 27 February, 2021
Auckland City FC 2 (Logan ROGERSON 17', Mohamed AWAD 62')
Waitakere United 2 (Dane SCHNELL 51', Jack DUNCAN 90+2')
HT: 1-0.

AC: 24. Cam BROWN (GK), 3. Adam MITCHELL, 6. Brian KALTACK, 8. Albert RIERA (c) (20. Emiliano TADE 68'), 10. Dylan MANICKUM (4. Mario BILEN 75'), 14. Jordan VALE (12. Sam BROTHERTON 46'), 15. Aidan CAREY, 16. Yousif AL-KALISY, 19. Logan ROGERSON, 22. Mohamed AWAD, 23. Alfie ROGERS.

SUBS NOT USED: 1. Enaut ZUBIKARAI (GK), 9. Kayne VINCENT.

COACH: Jose FIGUEIRA.

OTHER RESULTS

Team Wellington 3-2 Hamilton Wanderers
Canterbury United 5-1 Wellington Phoenix

Sunday 28 February 2021
Hawke's Bay United v Eastern Suburbs AFC
Bluewater Stadium, Napier - kick-off: 4pm NZDT