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Grand Final Preview - Navy Blues 'calm and focused'

Words: ACFC Media

Friday 2 December 2022

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Calm and focused - Albert Riera's Auckland City FC is ready for the biggest game of the year when we take on Wellington Olympic in the National League Championship Grand Final on Sunday.

Auckland City FC won the National League Championship league race by virtue of the head-to-head record with Wellington Olympic after the Navy Blues 2-1 win in Porirua on October 1.

Riera said the feeling of winning the league was satisfying but the grand final is now his players full focus for Sunday.

"Finishing top of the National League Championship league table was a special achievement in itself and to me feels like another trophy.

"It's never easy task to achieve that but now the final is the focus - it is the icing on the cake for the players and they thoroughly deserve to be here.

"The opportunity we have as a team, as part of this club, in this final is the result of a lot of effort and passion for football that we have shown throughout this season.

"We're extremely happy to be qualified and we're very motivated to win. When you reach a grand final you can tell something special is around the corner by what you see in training.

"The players have had extra levels of concentration and energy and as a coach that's what you want to see. The players are very focused and motivated but at the same time with the same amount of calmness.

"You can't be too motivated or over-anxious and we have had big games throughout our schedule this year and our experience in these games has been excellent, the players have stepped up everytime.

"Experience in a grand final is essential and important especially against an opponent like Wellington Olympic who are very attacking, very vertical and has scored a lot of goals.

"We have a plan for that and we will try to impose our style on the game so it doesn't really change much in that regard.

"When you put that amount of effort into a season, for the whole year, the way our players have approached training and games, you always bear the fruits of your labours.

"I want us to play good football on Sunday because if we can do that then we will create chances to score and to win the game.

"I'm looking forward to the game, so are the players, we have a calm but determined mindset."

The match kicks off at 2.00pm NZDT at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday 4 December 2022 and is live on Sky Sport.

Mediterranean Cup

Also up for grabs is the Mediterranean Cup played for in games between Auckland City FC and Wellington Olympic to celebrate the two clubs Croatian and Greek roots and attachment to the Mediterranean Sea region. The trophy was first played for this year and you can find out more about it here.

Match Tickets - National League Championship Grand Final

You can purchase your match tickets here.

Ends

Match Details
National League Championship Grand Final
Sunday 4 December 2022
Auckland City FC v Wellington Olympic
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 2.00pm NZDT

AC: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Christian GRAY, 5. Angel BERLANGA, 6. Matt ELLIS, 7. Cam HOWIESON, 8. Gerard GARRIGA, 9. Angus KILKOLLY, 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 11. Ryan DE VRIES, 12. Sam BROTHERTON, 13. Takuya IWATA, 14. Jordan VALE, 15. Aidan CAREY, 16. Joe LEE< 17. Reid DRAKE, 19. Liam GILLION, 20. Emiliano TADE, 21. Ilham HAMEEDI, 22. Adam BELL, 23. Alfie ROGERS, 24. Cam BROWN (GK), 27. Rayan TAYEB.

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

AUCKLAND CITY FC - PLAYER MILESTONES

100 GAMES - Dylan Manickum will make his 100th appearance for Auckland City FC, if selected, while team-mate Jordan Vale will make his 99th appearance for the club, if selected.

The National League Championship Grand Final is Auckland City FC's 48th game of 2022 (including five pre-season friendlies). The club has recorded 41 wins, four draws and two defeats.

Auckland City FC has won 11 league titles in a row since 2013 - six were won by Ramon Tribulietx, three by Jose Figueira and two for Albert Riera this year (Northern League and National League Championship).

AUCKLAND CITY FC - PLAYER RECORDS 2022

Number reads match appearances followed by goals scored (in all competitions). Data in brackets is the player's individual careeer tally for Auckland City FC.

The record number of appearances is held by Angel Berlanga (229) and the club record goals scored is held by Emiliano Tade (144).

Adam BELL 9/0 (9/0)
Angel BERLANGA 14/1 (229/9)
Sam BROTHERTON 38/5 (59/6)
Cam BROWN 10/0 (36/0)
Aidan CAREY 29/1 (50/2)
Ryan DE VRIES 34/14 (146/66)
Matt ELLIS 10/8 (17/10)
Will ENG 1/0 (1/0)
Liam GILLION 26/4 (26/4)
Christian GRAY 9/0 (9/0)
Reid DRAKE 40/8 (124/19)
Gerard GARRIGA 30/3 (30/3)
Ilham HAMEEDI 9/1 (23/2)
Cam HOWIESON 33/13 (145/30)
Mario ILICH 31/6 (81/7)
Takuya IWATA 5/0 (144/2)
Angus KILKOLLY 28/12 (48/32)
Joe LEE 28/10 (38/10)
Nathan LOBO 22/2 (22/2)
Dylan MANICKUM 29/12 (99/39)
Adam MITCHELL 37/5 (81/6)
Kristoff MULLER 1/0 (5/1)
Alfie ROGERS 21/0 (107/5)
Emiliano TADE 36/22 (219/144)
Conor TRACEY 32/0 (59/0)
Jordan VALE 26/1 (98/7)

CURRENT FORM - PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES
26.02.22 v West Coast Rangers (A) won 4-0
02.03.22 v Eastern Suburbs (H) won 4-1
08.03.22 v Western Springs (H) drew 1-1
11.03.22 v Metro FC (H) won 6-0
15.03.22 v Auckland United (H) drew 1-1

CURRENT FORM - NORTHERN LEAGUE
26.03.22 v Melville United (H) won 2-1
02.04.22 v Takapuna (H) won 2-1
09.04.22 v Hamilton Wanderers (A) drew 1-1
15.04.22 v Waiheke United (H) won 4-0
18.04.22 v North Shore United (A) won 7-1
23.04.22 v Bay Olympic (A) won 4-0
30.04.22 v Birkenhead United (H) won 3-0
07.05.22 v Manukau United (A) won 3-0
14.05.22 v Western Springs (H) won 4-0
21.05.22 v Eastern Suburbs (A) won 4-1
28.05.22 v Auckland United (H) won 2-0
04.06.22 v Melville United (A) won 1-0
11.06.22 v Takapuna (A) won 4-0
25.06.22 v Hamilton Wanderers (H) won 2-0
29.06.22 v Eastern Suburbs (H) won 2-1
02.07.22 v Waiheke United (A) won 2-0
13.07.22 v Birkenhead United (A) won 5-2
16.07.22 v North Shore United (H) won 6-0
19.07.22 v Manukau United (H) won 3-1
23.07.22 v Bay Olympic (H) won 2-1
31.08.22 v Western Springs (A) won 5-3
03.09.22 v Auckland United (A) lost 0-2

CURRENT FORM - OFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
05.08.22 v Hieghene Sport (H) won 5-0
08.08.22 v Rewa (H) won 3-0
11.08.22 v Nikao Sokattak (H) won 4-1
14.08.22 v Central Coast (H) won 2-0
17.08.22 v AS Venus (H) won 3-0

CURRENT FORM - CHATHAM CUP
14.06.22 v Albany United (H) won 6-1
18.06.22 v Manukau United (H) won 6-0
09.07.22 v Bay Olympic (A) won 2-1
30.07.22 v Dunedin City Royals (A) won 6-0
30.07.22 v Wellington Olympic (H) won 3-1
11.09.22 v Eastern Suburbs AFC (N) won 1-0

CURRENT FORM - NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
01.10.22 v Wellington Olympic (A) won 2-1
08.10.22 v Cashmere Technical (H) won 2-0
15.10.22 v Birkenhead United (A) drew 2-2
23.10.22 v Napier City Rovers (H) won 3-0
29.10.22 v Auckland United (A) lost 2-3
05.11.22 v Wellington Phoenix (H) won 2-0
12.11.22 v Christchurch United (A) won 3-2
20.11.22 v Miramar Rangers (H) won 2-1
26.11.22 v Melville United (H) won 2-0
04.12.22 v Wellington Olympic (N)

CLUB HONOURS
FIFA Club World Cup bronze medal 2014 (1)
OFC Champions League winners 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019*, 2020*, 2022 (10 +2 nominations during Covid-19)
OFC President's Cup winners 2014 (1)
Nike Lunar New Year Cup winners 2017 (1)
National League Grand Final winners 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2008/09, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2017/18, 2019/20* (7 +1 = 8 / 1 title awarded during Covid-19)
National League winners 2004/05, 2005/06, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20*, 2020/21 (11 +1 = 12 / 1 title awarded during Covid-19)
Northern League winners 2021, 2022 (2)
National Youth League winners 2006/07, 2008/09, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20 (7)
Lotto NRFL U-23 Premier Division winners 2021, 2022 (2)
Chatham Cup winners 2022 (1)
Charity Cup 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 (7)

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WELLINGTON OLYMPIC:

PLAYER TO WATCH - GIANNI BOUZOUKIS
The talented 23-year-old has set the Central region alight this season with an impressive 16 goals in just 18 appearances for Wellington Olympic. Formerly with the Wellington Phoenix where he played 9 times in the New Zealand Football Championship, Bouzoukis could be the player Auckland City FC need to keep an eye on today.

HEAD COACH - RUPERT KEMEYS
Rupert Kemeys is in his first full season in charge of Wellington Olympic and came to the club having had success with Wainuiomata in 2020. Kemeys was voted Capital Football's Coach of the Year after he guided the club to a Capital Premier League title. He helped guide Olympic to the Chatham Cup semi-finals and successfully defend its Central League title in 2022.

ABOUT - WELLINGTON OLYMPIC AFC

HONOURS
Chatham Cup winners 2009
Chatham Cup runners-up 1994
Superclub Plate Winners 1995
Central Premier League winners 2022, 2021, 2016, 2010
Central League Division 1 winners 1991
Central League Division 2 winners 1995, 1986, 1982, 1980, 1977
Central League Division 3 winners 1994

BIGGEST WIN (LEAGUE)
v. Wellington United won 11-1, 2019

BIGGEST DEFEAT (LEAGUE)
v. Hungaria lost 0-14, 1973

BIGGEST WIN (CHATHAM CUP)
v. Wellington College won 13-0, 2004
v. Stokes Valley won 13-0, 2019

BIGGEST DEFEAT (CHATHAM CUP)
v. Waterside lost 2-7, 1976.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS
21.08.22 Auckland City FC 3-1 Wellington Olympic - Chatham Cup semi-final
02.10.22 Wellington Olympic 1-2 Auckland City FC - National League Championship

ABOUT WELLINGTON OLYMPIC

Olympic fondly known as “The Greeks” were founded in 1953 as Apollon AFC. In 1959 the club changed its name to Christian Youth Football Club (CYFC) and a latter change to Wellington Olympic AFC came in 1983.

The club has a proud history in Wellington football and has established itself as one of the dominant clubs in the Central Region.

Olympic competed on the national stage for the first time in 1993 making the national round of the Superclub Championship finishing in 6th position.

A year later they repeated the feat, finishing 5th and also made the final of the 1994 Chatham Cup narrowly losing 0-1 to Waitakere City.

During that 1994 season they also played Auckland City’s sister club Central United for the first time ever in the national round of the Superclub competition defeating the Auckland side 2-0.

Olympic and Central United next met at national level in the 1999 North Island League with Central victorious on both occasions home and away. The two clubs have never met again since then at senior level.

The connection between Olympic and Kiwitea Street was revived however in 2013 when the Central United Over 35’s side travelled to Wellington to take on their Olympic counterparts for a newly minted trophy ‘The Mediterranean Cup’.

The Greeks put on a fabulous display of hospitality for this end of season friendly match and were victorious in claiming the new trophy. A year later the roles were reciprocated and a great weekend was enjoyed by both sets of players in Auckland.

Olympic claimed it's first national title with Chatham Cup success coming after a 2-1 win against Three Kings United in the 2009 final.

Three Kings United took an early lead through a third-minute goal from Luiz del Monte. They dominated for much of the early part of the match, but Olympic fought back, and a header just before the half-hour mark from Mickey Malivuk levelled the scores at 1-1.

In the second half Olympic held the upper hand, and eventually took the lead through a 75th minute penalty converted by Raf De Gregorio. Three Kings pressed strongly during the last few minutes but were unable to produce an equaliser.

The Jack Batty Memorial Trophy for the payer of the final was awarded to former All White De Gregorio.

CURRENT FORM - CENTRAL LEAGUE
26.03.22 v Petone (A) won 5-1
02.04.22 v Wellington United (H) won 4-0
09.04.22 v North Wellington (A) won 2-1
15.04.22 v Wellington Phoenix (A) drew 2-2
23.04.22 v Napier City Rovers (H) won 3-0
30.04.22 v Waterside Karori (A) drew 1-1
07.05.22 v Western Suburbs (H) won 4-0
21.05.22 v Miramar Rangers (A) drew 2-2
28.05.22 v Havelock North Wanderers (H) won 10-0
11.06.22 v North Wellington (H) won 3-1
25.06.22 v Wellington United (A) won 4-0
02.07.22 v Petone (H) won 5-0
16.07.22 v Wellington Phoenox (H) lost 0-3
24.07.22 v Napier City Rovers (A) won 5-2
06.08.22 v Waterside Karori (H) won 2-0
14.08.22 v Western Suburbs (A) won 11-1
28.08.22 v Havelock North Wanderers (A) won 7-1
23.09.22 v Miramar Rangers (H) won 1-0

CURRENT FORM - CHATHAM CUP
14.05.22 v Seatoun (A) won 8-0
06.06.22 v Whanganui Athletic (A) won 5-0
18.06.22 v North Wellington (A) won 6-1
10.07.22 v Napier City Rovers (A) won 4-0
30.07.22 v Cashmere Technical (H) won 3-2
21.08.22 v Auckland City FC (A) lost 1-3

CURRENT FORM - NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
01.10.22 v Auckland City FC (H) lost 1-2
09.10.22 v Melville United (A) won 4-0
16.10.22 v Cashmere Technical (A) won 3-0
22.10.22 v Birkenhead United (H) won 2-0
29.10.22 v Napier City Rovers (A) won 3-2
05.11.22 v Auckland United (H) won 3-1
13.11.22 v Wellington Phoenix (A) drew 1-1
19.11.22 v Christchurch United (H) won 7-1
27.11.22 v Miramar Rangers (A) won 4-1
04.12.22 v Auckland City FC (N)

GOALSCORERS
Gianni Bouzoukis - 25
Jack-Henry Sinclair - 19
Jesse Randall - 17
Kailan Gould - 13
Conor Gaul - 6
Ben Mata - 6
Jonty Roubos - 4
Tor Davenport-Petersen 3
Lukas Hadaikas - 3
Jaga Scott-Greenfield 2
Justin Gulley - 1
Alex Palezevic - 1
theo Ettema - 1