Gray the hero as City draw

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 11 March 2023

Picture: Phototek

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - It's all to play for in the City of Sails after Auckland City FC snatched a 1-1 draw after a tense clash with Wellington Olympic in the OFC Champions League National Playoff 1st Leg today.

Former All White Joel Stevens opened the scoring when he latched onto a Jack-Henry Sinclair diagonal pass before beating Regont Murati at the far post then shooting past Conor Tracey with a neat finish eight minutes before the break.

City dominated long spells of the game and were finally rewarded for their efforts when Christian Gray tapped home at the far post for his first ever goal for the Navy Blues in just his 13th appearance since signing for the club last year.

Wellington Olympic may rue several missed chances including one belter by Stevens after he lashed a shot from just inside City's half that fizzed over Conor Tracey then bashed into the Navy Blues keeper's left hand upright.

Scott Basalaj made two top quality saves when he first denied Joe Lee's powerful drive and then somehow stymied Dylan Manickum from close range with just minutes left to play.

The result means both teams are still firmly in the hunt to claim New Zealand's lone OFC Champions League berth with the tie now down to a one-off Cup affair where today's away goal doesn't count toward the aggregate score.

The match takes place at Kiwitea Street on Saturday 18 March 2023 with kick-off at 4.00pm NZST.

Ends

Match Result
OFC Champions League National Playoff 1st Leg
Saturday 11 March 2023
Wellington Olympic 1 (Joel STEVENS 37')
Auckland City FC 1 (Christian GRAY 80')
HT: 1-0.

AC: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 4. Christian GRAY, 5. Michael DEN HEIJER, 7. Cam HOWIESON (c), 8. Gerard GARRIGA, 9. Angus KILKOLLY (20. Emiliano TADE 73'), 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 12. Regont MURATI, 13. Nathan LOBO, 19. Liam GILLION, 22. Tong ZHOU (16. Joe LEE 60').

SUBS NOT USED: 24. Joe WALLIS (GK), 14. Jordan VALE,  15. Aidan CAREY. 

COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
TECHNICAL: Adria CASALS
TECHNICAL: Jarrod WALLACE
LOGISTICS: Colin COOK
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE

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