Scene set for Waiheke showdown

Words: ACFC Media

Thursday 14 April 2022

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - After 251 days away from its spiritual home, Auckland City FC returns to competitive action at Kiwitea Street to take on newly promoted Waiheke United in the first of an Easter Weekend Double Header in the Northern League on Friday.

Auckland City FC last took to Kiwitea Street on August 7 last year when goals by Angus Kilkolly, Alfie Rogers and a double by Reid Drake gave the Navy Blues a 4-1 win over North Shore United in league business.

North Shore United form the other half of this weekend's Double Header when City head over the water to Allen Hill Stadium on Monday but its the immediacy and focus of Friday's game that whets the appetite for coach Albert Riera before he thinks about the next game.

Waiheke United

"The game with Waiheke United promises to be a very special occasion, not only for ourselves, but our visitors.

"Waiheke United have a fantastic group of supporters who always bring unwavering support to their team and its fantastic that they make the atmosphere they create.

"It won't be any different at Kiwitea Street and I know some people involved with Waiheke United and know this is a very important game for them.

After 251 days away, Auckland City FC returns to competitive action at Kiwitea Street to take on newly promoted @WaihekeUnited tomorrow

| @PhototekNZ

https://t.co/QgcnrtwVIY pic.twitter.com/YEoGph7s7P
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) April 14, 2022

"Some of them see Friday's game as a dream come true, they have worked very hard as a club to be where they are now, earning promotion after promotion.

"They have earned their right to be in the Northern League by winning promotion last season and it is going to be a fantastic day at the club," he told www.aucklandcityfc.com.

Waiheke United's supporters have earned a stellar reputation in the New Zealand football landscape with their fans featuring on ESPN South America and two documentaries produced about their following the like of which has no equal except perhaps in the A-League.

While their fanbase has caused a stir, its their club's rise from the lower leagues that has caught the eye, although they have yet to pick up a win this season.

Two home defeats to Eastern Suburbs AFC (1-3) and Manukau United (0-3) are propped up by a 1-1 away draw at Western Springs.

Their dangerman is striker Emiliano Candia, 36, who has been a key figure in the Waiheke United story.

Ryan De Vries and Emiliano Tade

While Waiheke United bring a serious challenge to Kiwitea Street on Friday, Riera may receive a boost by the return of two key attackers to his selection mix.

Emiliano Tade, a long term absentee after a knee injury early last season, could be close to a return, as could Ryan De Vries.

The pair have scored nearly 175 goals for the club and have vast experience but Riera insists he won't rush either of them into action despite being optimistic of their progress.

"With Emiliano and Ryan we are lucky to have both these quality players on board with us.

"Ryan De Vries came back from a bout of Covid-19 in a safe and very positive manner and he has been training progressively and very well and we have some optimism around his availability.

"We may see Ryan in one of the games this weekend but it all depends on how we go during the week.

"Same with Emiliano. He has had a fantastic recuperation and progression on his injury. He is always committed to the team and trains very hard.

"I'm aware he's in the gym everyday and has a very serious and professional attitude towards his football so hopefully we may see him involved in one of these games," Riera said.

Match Details versus Waiheke United (H)/North Shore United (A)

Auckland City FC's match with Waiheke United kicks off at 3.00pm NZDT at Kiwitea Street on Friday 15 April.

Monday's match with North Shore United is set for Allen Hill Stadium also at 3.00pm NZDT.

U-23 Match Schedule

The U-23 matches between Auckland City FC and Waiheke United will be played at Croatian Cultural Centre on Friday 15 April with a 12.00pm NZDT kick-off.

North Shore United U-23 versus Auckland City FC U-23 kicks off at 12.30pm NZDT at Allen Hill Stadium on Monday.

Ends

Match Details
Northern League
Friday 15 April 2022
Auckland City FC v Waiheke United
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham
Kick-off: 3.00pm NZDT

AC (squad to be finalised): 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Christian GRAY, 5. Angel BERLANGA, 7. Cam HOWIESON, 8. Gerard GARRIGA, 9. Angus KILKOLLY, 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 11. Ryan DE VRIES, 12. Sam BROTHERTON, 13. Nathan LOBO, 14. Jordan VALE, 15. Aidan CAREY, 16. Joe LEE, 17. Reid DRAKE, 19. Liam GILLION, 20. Emiliano TADE, 21. Ilham HAMEEDI, 22. Kristoff MULLER, 23. Alfie ROGERS, 24. Cam BROWN (GK).

COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GOALKEEPER COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
MANAGER: Keith COTON
ANALYST: Adria CASALS
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE

MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE: Ben NORMAN
ASSISTANT REFEREE 1: Phillip ROGERS
ASSISTANT REFEREE 2: Khalid ELGANA

PREVIOUS MEETINGS
There have been no competitive meetings between the two clubs at senior level but the clubs teams have played once before at the Fuller's Festival of Football with Waiheke United defeating Auckland City FC's Junior Navy Blues by 1-0 on Saturday 23 September 2017. Emiliano Candia scored the only goal of the game. Auckland City FC won the Steve Sumner Trophy at Onetangi Domain when they defeated Hamilton Wanderers 5-2 the same day thanks to a hat-trick by Callum McCowatt and goals by Emiliano Tade and Cam Howieson. Younes Falfan and Xavier Pratt scored for Wanderers.

OTHER MATCHES - FRIDAY 15 APRIL 2022 (all games kick off at 3.00pm NZDT)
Auckland United FC v Eastern Suburbs AFC
Birkenhead United v Melville United
Manukau United v Bay Olympic
Takapuna v Hamilton Wanderers
Western Springs v North Shore United

MONDAY 18 APRIL 2022 (all games kick off at 3.00pm NZDT)
North Shore United v Auckland City FC
Takapuna v Auckland United FC
Hamilton Wanderers v Waiheke United
Birkenhead United v Western Springs
Bay Olympic v Eastern Suburbs AFC
Melville United v Manukau United