Search Results

Pritchett double sets up win

Words: ACFC Media

Thursday 26 September 2013

Picture: Phototek

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC record a come-from-behind 4-3 win over Fijian giants Ba at a wintery Bill McKinlay Park tonight.

The Navy Blues tackled Ba in front of a 2,300-strong crowd in Mount Wellington and coach Ramon Tribulietx declared himself pleased with aspects of the display.

"It’s good to play these games. Ba have been competing in their league and we’ve just only just started.

"Games like these help us to tick over and get ready for the bigger games ahead,” he said.

While Ba began the game the stronger of the two sides, Tribulietx admitted some elements of the Auckland City FC performance required work but that two weeks into pre-season training this was to be expected.

"We were a little disjointed but we’ve done as much as we’ve been able to. We played well in patches and we’ve got a lot of new people on board.

"We did really well against a side that deservedly qualified for the OFC Champions League semifinals last season and they’re playing their own national league right now so we’ve performed alright this evening,” Tribulietx said.

Ba opened the scoring through Osea Vakatalesau on 36 minutes before substitute Daniel Koprivcic equalised two minutes after halftime.

Ba responded within a minute of the kick-off, again through Vakatalesau.

James Pritchett levelled the game with a low header past goalkeeper Jone Ralulu on 59 minutes then another Fijian, this time Roy Krishna, nudged Auckland City FC ahead with an exquisite finish with the outside of his right boot with twenty minutes to play.

Vakatalesau – who had an outstanding evening for Ba – hit the crossbar with a snap shot before Pritchett – in his tenth season with Auckland City FC – gave his team a two goal cushion when his second of the game with 12 minutes left.

Vakatalesau completed his hat-trick from the penalty mark after Adam McGeorge brought down Ronil Kumar on 87 minutes.

With Auckland City FC now two wins from two pre-season friendlies and some trialists shorn from the original training squad that convened two weeks ago, Tribulietx’s thoughts turned to Saturday’s mouth-watering prestige friendly with the Wellington Phoenix at Kiwitea Street.

"We want to be competitive, it’s part of our preparation. We’ll look at patterns of play but we’re also looking to compete and get ready for our own competition.

"We’ll try and put on our best performance we’ll give no excuses. It may be a little bit early but we’re delighted to have the opportunity to face professional opposition anyway,” he said.

Past performances that yielded friendly wins over professional opponents such as the Central Coast Mariners, Yamaga and Kyutsu Reizi had no bearing on Saturday’s game according to the Auckland City FC coach.

"It’s about us rather than points scoring, so to speak. Both teams will be looking at themselves and patterns of play but if you love what you do, and you love this game, part of you will look at the result its human nature.

"We’ll look at our patterns of play but try to be as competitive as we can,” he said.

Ends

Match Result
Friendly
Thursday 26 September, 2013
Auckland City FC 4 (Daniel KOPRIVCIC 47', James PRITCHETT 59', 78', Roy KRISHNA 70')
Ba 3 (Osea VAKATALESAU 36', 48', 87'-pen)
HT: 0-1.

AC: 1. Tamati WILLIAMS (GK) (24. Louie CAUNTER (GK)), 4. Mario BILEN (17. Alex FENERIDIS), 5. Angel BERLANGA (6. John IRVING), 7. James PRITCHETT (19. Darren WHITE), 8. Chris BALE (16. Dean LAUSEV), 9. Rory TURNER (11. Daniel KOPRIVCIC), 10. Sam BURFOOT, 13. Roy KRISHNA, 15. Ivan VICELICH (c)(18. Adam McGEORGE), 20. Emiliano TADE, 22. Andrew MILNE (3. Takuya IWATA).

COACH: Ramon TRIBULIETX.

Related Articles

NORTHERN LEAGUE R2

Friday 29 March 2024, Croatian Club, 3.00pm

AC
vs
ES
Player Profiles
Table
Position P W D L F A Pts
1 TC1100403
2 AC1100303
3 MN1100303
4 BO1100213
5 WS1100323
6 ES1010221
7 WC1010221
8 BU1001230
9 ES1001120
10 AU1001030
11 EB1001030
12 ME1001040

Full Ladder

Friends of Football
Photo Gallery
Facebook
Twitter
Auckland City FC Social