Metro FC down U-23s
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - An own goal and one from Honggyu Han gave Metro FC a 2-0 pre-season friendly win over Auckland City FC U-23 at Auckland Grammar School tonight.
Han shone in a hectic first half forcing goalkeeper Finn Dockerty (pictured) into two important saves, the first when he tipped a Han shot onto the right hand upright after just five minutes, the second when an he slapped away an acrobatic effort on the other side of the box.
Metro FC also had a decent shout for a penalty waved away when Omid Rajabi was felled in the box.
The visitors experienced side featured several familiar faces with former Navy Blues legend Mario Bilen appearing in black and red alongside former Waitakere United and Southern United defender Tristan Prattley.
Also in Metro FC colours was Brooklyn Heath, Auckland City FC U-23 skipper from last season.
While Auckland City FC U-23 absorbed a lot of pressure they showed resilience and stormed back into the match in the second half.
An own goal proved a setback for the U-23s but they kept at Metro FC and almost pulled one back through substitute Sam Clegg.
Clegg made a big impression and forced Metro FC's trialist goalkeeper into a brilliant save to maintain his team's advantage.
The youngster was at it again seconds later when his thunderbolt shot lashed off the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten all ends up.
Dockerty was called on to make further interventions as Metro FC's experience started to tell.
Coach Kris Bright said: "We had a few players missing tonight but what was very good was seeing 2-3 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old hold their own against an experienced opponent.
"Overall, the two goals concededed came from individual errors and can be resolved. We created good chances to score.
"Sam Clegg has decent goals to game ratio off the bench and he also scored last week against Northern Rovers.
"He always gets himself into good positions.
"Also, a special mention for Stipe Ukich who has deep roots at Kiwitea Street who at 15 years of age made his first appearance for us."
Ends
Match Result
Pre-season Friendly
Friday 18 February 2022
Auckland City FC U-23 0
Metro FC 2 (Hongyyu HAN, Own Goal)
HT: 0-1.
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Player Profiles
Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 15 |
| 2 |  | WS | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 12 |
| 3 |  | BU | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 9 |
| 4 |  | BO | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| 5 |  | MN | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 7 |
| 6 |  | AU | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 |  | ES | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| 8 |  | TC | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 3 |
| 9 |  | MU | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 3 |
| 10 |  | WR | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 2 |
| 11 |  | HW | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 1 |
| 12 |  | EB | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
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