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Corrales emotional return to Kiwitea Street
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Former Auckland City FC striker Luis Corrales made a brief but happy return to Kiwitea Street to take in the club's final regular season Super City derby with Waitakere United on Saturday.
The 37-year-old striker arrived in New Zealand in 2006 before embarking on a successful ISPS Handa Premiership with Team Wellington.
Corrales helped himself to the competition Golden Boot during that period, playing alongside the likes of Emiliano Tade.
He joined Auckland City FC in 2011-12 season where competiton for places was intense with Manel Exposito, Tade, Adam Dickinson and Daniel Koprivcic vying for a start.
Corrales played in a number of positions across the Navy Blues front line during his career and amassed 52 appearances scoring 15 goals.
His decision to leave the Navy Blues was a tough one but in the end he returned to the capital and rejoined Team Wellington.
"I left Auckland City FC nearly eight years ago and it was a very hard decision for me to leave.
"Coming back to see everyone at the club and its people is an amazing feeling.
"My best memories are the FIFA Club World Cups - those are always special to any player, to play in a major tournament like that.
"But my best goal was any time I scored against Waitakere United.
"I scored against United in a Super City derby match just after our first child was born and I celebrated by stuffing the ball under my kit as if I was pregnant!
"It was a favourite goal of mine but probably my best in terms of quality was one against YoungHeart Manawatu.
"I played a one-two with David Mulligan and he put it over the back line and I vollied it and it went top corner.
"It was a very good goal and stands out in my mind," he said.
Corrales won the ISPS Handa Premiership and an NZF Charity Cup with Team Wellington and picked up two OFC Champions League titles and an NZF Charity Cup with the Navy Blues.
In 123 career matches at the highest level, Corrales scored 46 goals.
He also turned out in winter football for Stop Out and Upper Hutt.
"I played for a few clubs in New Zealand and there are three that I hold close to my heart.
"The club that brought me out to New Zealand in 2006, Stop Out FC, is very special to me but also Auckland City FC and Central United FC.
"It was difficult for me to come back to Kiwitea Street and see everyone but of course I was with Team Wellington.
"Kiwitea Street is a special place to be," he told www.aucklandcityfc.com
Ends
Profile
Name: Luis Corrales
Age: 37
Nationality: Costa Rica
Position: Striker
Club appearances: 52
Club goals: 15
Clubs: La U Universitarios (COS), Stop Out FC (NZL), Team Wellington (NZL), Auckland City FC (NZL), Central United FC (NZL), Upper Hutt (NZL).
Honours
FIFA Club World Cup 2011, 2012 (2)
OFC Champions League (2)
ISPS Handa Premiership (1)
ISPS Handa Premiership Golden Boot (1)
NZF Charity Cup (2)
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Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 7 | 18 |
| 2 |  | WS | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 6 | 18 |
| 3 |  | BU | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 13 |
| 4 |  | ES | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 | 12 |
| 5 |  | BO | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
| 6 |  | MN | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 10 |
| 7 |  | AU | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 9 |
| 8 |  | TC | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 19 | 6 |
| 9 |  | MU | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 25 | 3 |
| 10 |  | WR | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 2 |
| 11 |  | EB | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 2 |
| 12 |  | HW | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 18 | 2 |
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