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Navy Blues set for season opener

Words: ACFC Media

Friday 24 March 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Following last weekend's epic OFC Champions League Playoff victory, Auckland City FC will turn their attention to the start of the new national domestic season when they host Western Springs in the opening game of the Northern League Saturday afternoon at Kiwitea street.

The Navy Blues boast an impressive head-to-head record over their inner city counterparts with three wins from as many encounters in which they found their opponent’s net 14 times.

Those past performances against the Westmere based club coupled with City's intensive pre-season workload and their thrilling Oceania qualification win will give the players plenty of confidence ahead of their first round meeting, but coach Albert Riera insists there will be no room for complacency.

#OFCChampsLeague Draw Complete!

Auckland City FC drawn in Group B based in Santo, Luganville, Vanuatu!

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#StrengthInUnity pic.twitter.com/9niuxYivGX
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) March 23, 2023

“Western Springs is a team that signed a lot off players, they have a very squad so I’m sure they Arte going to be ready to play against us, especially at Kiwitea, but we are confident that awe are going to bat at 100 percent.

“I believe that most teams who come to Kiwitea want to upset us so I’m sure they will put up a fight and a battle, and I’m expecting a very tough game. Western Spring will be full of confidence and energy as well so we will have to ready for it, said Riera.”

Western Springs club will be eager to improve on their sixth placed finish from last season under the guidance of new head coach Scott Hales.

The 41-year-old former Team Wellington coach, who put pen to paper on a three year deal with Western Springs at the start of 2023, has an impressive resume which includes three National League titles (former ISPS Handa Men’s titles as well as taking Miramar Rangers to the New National League and Chatham Cup final.

Central midfielder Wan Gatkek will join Hale at the club from the nation’s capita, following previous stints at Team Wellington, Western Suburbs and Miramar Rangers.

The 22-year-old with a habit of scoring crucial goals has a National League title to his name and could become one of the players to watch during the season.

Ends

Match Details
Northern League
Saturday 25 March 2023
Auckland City FC v Western Springs
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham
Kick-off: 3.00pm NZST

AC SQUAD (SEASON 2023): 1-Conor TRACEY (GK), 2- Mario ILICH, 3- Adam MITCHELL, 4-Christian GRAY, 5-Michael DEN HEIJER, 6-Dan MORGAN, 7-Cam HOWIESON (c), 8-Gerard GARRIGA, 9-Angus KILKOLLY, 10-Dylan MANICKUM, 11-Ryan DE VRIES, 12-Regont MURATI, 13-Nathan LOBO, 14-Jordan VALE, 15- Aidan CAREY, 16-Joseph LEE, 17- Ilham HAMEEDI, 19-Liam GILLION, 20- Emiliano TADE, 21- Adam BELL, 22-Tong ZHOU, 23- Matt ELLIS, 24-Joe WALLIS (GK), 25-Takuya IWATA, 26-Rayan TAYEB.

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