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Skipper set for derby challenge

Words: ACFC Media

Friday 14 April 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC captain Cam Howieson calls for more urgency and intensity when the Navy Blues take on Auckland United FC in the much anticipated Dominion Road derby on Saturday afternoon at Keith Hay Park.

Howieson, who missed his side’s 1-all draw with West Coast Rangers on Easter Monday to rest a niggling injury, was back at training ahead of the Round 5 Northern League clash at Mt Roskill.

The stalemate with Rangers was the first time City have dropped points this season and the skipper admits the result felt like a bit of a loss.

“Yeah when you are at Auckland City and when you don’t get all three points you always feel like you dropped points, that’s not the result you want but we can still take some positives out of it and some things we need to work on going into this weekend.”

Despite the Round 4 draw, City still sit at the top of the competition ladder level on 10 points with three other teams including Auckland United.

“It’s still early in the season so it’s tough to get away from the pack but we will need to pick up maximum points where we can and hopefully we can do that. You know it’s not going to be easy, they are going to fight for everything and they are going to be in it for 90 plus minutes so we have to be switched on from the get go,” said the City captain.

City have a mixed head-to-head record against United with two wins and two defeats in their past four meetings and the Navy Blues lost both of their games in Keith Hay Park last season.

Howieson is expecting another stern away challenge.

"Yeah definitely, I think it’s been a while since we won there to be honest so we know it’s really tough, they have a great squad and they have added some players to their squad this season and they are looking strong.

“You know these games don’t tend to have many goals in them so a clean sheet would be superb and we will be looking for the three points and I’m sure they will be too,” Howieson said.

Ends

Match Details
Northern League Round 5
Saturday 15, April 2023
Auckland United FC v Auckland City FC
Keith Hay Park, Mt Roskill
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. 24-Joe WALLIS (GK), 25-Takuya IWATA, 26-Rayan TAYEB, 27 Stipe UKICH

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