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Figueira ready for Dominion Road Derby

Words: ACFC Media

Friday 28 May 2021

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC and Auckland United FC brace for the first showdown in the Dominion Road Derby at Kiwitea Street on Saturday 29 May 2021.

Auckland United FC came into being after a merger between Onehunga Sports and Three Kings United FC in 2019-20 and play out of Keith Hay Park.

There was an Auckland United FC that played in South Auckland for three seasons between 2016 and 2019 but a failed bid to join the now defunct ISPS Handa Premiership saw the club fold in 2019.

With the new Auckland United FC's home ground and Auckland City FC's Kiwitea Street just ten minutes apart, and also at opposite ends of one of Auckland's most iconic streets, Dominion Road, the rivalry looks set to outstrip the Navy Blues rivalries with either Eastern Suburbs AFC or Waitakere United.

Whether that happens or not remains to be seen according to José Figueira.

"I guess we will find out on Saturday what the Dominion Road Derby is like! Any top of the table clash is an exciting match and I have no doubts this one will be.

"We are well aware Auckland United FC are a new club and have some big ambitions, their position on the table and run of form is enough to tell us that it will be a great clash.

"They've shown thus far they have quality all over the pitch, and will no doubts be looking at their attacking players like Kingsley Sinclair and former All White and Wellington Phoenix forward Monty Patterson to make an impact.

"Ross Haviland and their skipper Joseph Dawkins also provide a resolute backbone for them in defence.

"United are a well organised and structured team. They have players who have been around the blocks for a long time both in the regional and at national league level," Figueira told www.aucklandcityfc.com.

The biggest challenge for Figueira this week is once again who to pick from a top quality squad that is winning, scoring a lot of goals and keeping clean sheets.

"We have a clean bill of health and all the players are eager to maintain our current form and momentum.

"The teams in a good place and a few minor tweaks here and there both positionally and tactically have added to a great week of training," he said.

Angus Kilkolly can make history if he scores in the first ever Dominion Road Derby. Kilkolly is on a scoring spree currently having scored eight goals in his last six domestic games, a record he shares with Ryan De Vries, Emiliano Tade and Myer Bevan, after he scored twice in the 5-0 thrashing of Eastern Suburbs AFC last week.

If Kilkolly scores again on Saturday, he'll move into second place on his own, just three games short of the all-time record held by the late Keryn Jordan who scored 17 goals in ten consecutive games between November 12, 2005 and January 28, 2006.

Both Auckland City FC and Auckland United FC sit in first and second in the Northern League table seperated by just a single point although the Navy Blues have a game in hand.

United come into the first Dominion Road Derby in top form with six wins and two draws in their last eight matches and their only defeat this season coming in 2-1 defeat to sixth placed Bay Olympic.

Auckland City FC U-23's face their own Dominion Road Derby, albeit kicking off in Te Atatu, when they host Auckland United FC U-23s at Croatian Cultural Society at 12.00pm NZDT.

United sit sixth in the Lotto NRFL U-23 Premier Division eight points adrift of Kris Bright's league leaders.

With second placed Birkenhead United U-23s taking on third placed Manukau United U-23, picking up points could be more crucial for the Navy Blues if they want to take advantage should either of their closest rivals slip up.

Ends

Match Details
Northern League
Saturday 29 May 2021
Auckland City FC v Auckland United FC
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham
Kick-off: 3.00pm NZDT

AC (squad selected from): 18. Conor TRACEY (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Mario BILEN, 6. Brian KALTAK, 7. Cam HOWIESON, 8. Adam THURSTON, 9. Angus KILKOLLY, 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 11. Reid DRAKE, 12. Sam BROTHERTON, 13. Deandre VOLLENHOVEN, 14. Jordan VALE, 15. Aidan CAREY, 17. Andrew BLAKE, 19. Ilham HAMEEDI, 20. Emiliano TADE, 21. Addison STEWART, 22. Mohamed AWAD, 23. Alfie ROGERS, 24. Cam BROWN (GK).

COACH: José FIGUEIRA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON
S&C COACH: Adria CASALS
ANALYST: Jarrod WALLACE/Dan GORDON

OTHER FIXTURES

SATURDAY 22 MAY, 2021
Birkenhead United v Manukau United
Melville United v Bay Olympic
North Shore United v Northern Rovers FC
West Coast Rangers v Eastern Suburbs AFC
Western Springs v Hamilton Wanderers
*All kick off times 3.00pm NZDT unless otherwise advised.

ABOUT AUCKLAND UNITED FC
Auckland United F.C was formed in 2020 after an amalgamation between neighbouring clubs Three Kings United and Onehunga Sports FC was approved by members in late 2019.

Three Kings United Football Club (TKU) was formed in 1997, through the amalgamation of Eden Football Club and The Mt Roskill Football Club. This amalgamation immediately created the largest football club in New Zealand and arguably the largest team sport club in New Zealand. The club has achieved 2400 registered players with over 1900 of those under the age of 18 in the past.

Overall the club engages with approximately 7,000 people in the Roskill, Eden, Mt Albert community, including friends and families of playing members.

The club's first season in the Northern Premier League was curtailed by Covid-19 with the competition declared null and void after just eight rounds. The 2021 season is Auckland United FC's first foray into the Chatham Cup.

MILESTONES
Auckland City FC and Auckland United FC meet for the first time in a competitive match on Saturday 29 May, 2021. Several players have played for both clubs either at senior or National Youth League level, a list that includes former All Whites defender Harshae Raniga, Robert Tipelu, Jack Duncan, Michael Den Heijer, Regont Murati and Nicolas Zambrano.

CURRENT FORM
v. Eastern Suburbs AFC (H) won 2-0
v. Bay Olympic (H) lost 1-2
v. Manukau United (H) drew 2-2
v. Northern Rovers (A) won 2-1
v. Hamilton Wanderers (A) won 3-1
v. West Coast Rangers (A) won 2-0
v. Western Springs (A) won 2-0
v. North Shore United (H) drew 1-1
v. Birkenhead United (A) won 1-0
v. Melville United (H) won 1-0

PLAYER TO WATCH
Former Ipswich Town and All Whites striker Monty Patterson has found life at Auckland United more than agreeable with for the 15-cap international. With ten goals to his name so far, expect Patterson to be among those vying for the Northern League golden boot and a summer of National League Championship football to look forward to.

BIGGEST WIN
Waitakere City FC 0-3 Auckland United, 2020

BIGGEST DEFEAT
Auckland United FC 1-2 Bay Olympic, 2021

HONOURS
Auckland United FC is a new club, formed by merger with Onehunga Sports and Three Kings United FC. While they have yet to register a senior honour, their parent clubs did.

ONEHUNGA SPORTS
Chatham Cup winners 2017
Northern League Premier Division winners 2017, 2018
Northern League Division 1 winners 2001, 2006, 2010
Northern League Division 2 winners 1988, 1992
Northern League Division 3 winners 1977
Northern League Division 4 winners 1976

THREE KINGS UNITED FC
Chatham Cup runners-up 2009
Northern League Division 1 winners 1998, 2009
Northern League Division 3 winners 2000

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