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Navy Blues eye victory to reclaim top spot

Words: ACFC Media

Tuesday 27 June 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC are looking to regain first place on the Northern League ladder when they host Manurewa AFC at the Croatian Cultural Club on Wednesday night.

The match, which will be the first ever meeting between these two sides, is a catch-up game from Round 10 of the competition which was postponed back in May due to the Navy Blues’ OFC Champion League commitments in Vanuatu.

Albert Riera’s men, who sit in second place on the Northern League table, know that a win over Manurewa will move them back above current leaders Eastern Suburbs on goal difference.

The top two sides are still unbeaten in this year’s competition with Suburbs on 35 points from 13 games while City are three points back after their 12 games played so far.

Meanwhile Manurewa are also having a great season sitting inside the top four as they chase qualification for the National League later in the year.

The visitors have recorded seven wins, three draws and only three defeats from their 13 games and scoring 33 goals in the process, which is the second highest tally in the competition just two behind the Navy Blues’ 35 goals.

26-year-old New Zealand international striker Monty Patterson has netted nine times for his side this season including a hat-trick in Manurewa’s 4-0 away to the West Coast Rangers in Round 13.

And the Navy Blues coach is expecting a stern test from the attack-minded visitors.

“Manurewa are a good side, especially up front and it’s going to be a very hard game especially as it’s going to be a midweek game.

“We are going to have some players who are tired and that’s why we sometimes rotate players, talking to them, ask them to speak up to see how they feel, if they are really 100 percent to play, otherwise someone else will going to play because everyone can do the job,” explained Riera.

Wednesday’s encounter could be a very special occasion for Mario Ilich who is set for his 100th appearance for the club if selected.

The Auckland City FC defender says he is excited about the prospect of reaching this important milestone.

“For my 100th game, I’m absolutely buzzing to get over the hundy-mark, I think I finished on 99 games for Central.

“I started for Central United when I was 4-year-old and to play for the Men’s team and get hundred games here, it’s unbelievable, it would mean a lot to me and my family,” said Ilich.

Ends

Match Details
Northern League Round 10
Wednesday 28 June 2023
Auckland City FC v Manurewa AFC
Croatian Cultural Club, Te Atatu South
Kick-off 7.00pm NZST

AC SQUAD: 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, 18. Sebastian CIGANDA (GK), 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