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Impressive Navy Blues youngsters show title credentials
Words: ACFC Media
Saturday 5 August 2023
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC U23s have stayed on course in their NRFL Premiership title defence courtesy of a comprehensive 3-0 win over their Eastern Suburbs counterparts on Saturday afternoon at Kiwitea Street.
During the lively opening exchanges the visitors were the first to come close to scoring with Vokil Mateev blasting his shot just wide while Caleb Moosbally forced a save at the other end.
Then the City youngsters took control with in-form striker Ryan Revill settling his side's nerves with an emphatic finish from inside the box in the 17th minute.
Ralph Rutherford headed over the crossbar for the young Lilywhites before Navy Blues keeper Nicolas Evans producing a wonderful save to deny Adam Thurston.
Revill was unlucky not to double his side’s advantage after heading narrowly wide from a well directed cross by Oscar Duffy as Valerio Raccuglia’s men held on to their lead going into the break.
Moosbally tested the visitors’ keeper early in the second half and Emmett Connolly produced another brilliant diving save minutes later to keep out a superb drive by Stipe Ukich who came off the bench in the second half.
But the Eastern Suburbs gloveman couldn’t do anything about Ukich’s 64th minute header as the Navy Blues took charge of the proceedings.
And Ukich put the result beyond any doubt with a wonderful finish at the end of some intricate interplay with Moosbally inside the visitors’ box.
The result means Raccuglia’s charges remain on top of the Lotto NRFL U-23 Premiership table with four rounds to go.
They will next face-fourth placed Takapuna on Saturday 12 August.
Ends
Match Result
Lotto NRFL U-23 Premier Division Round 18
Saturday 5 August 2023
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham
Auckland City FC U23: 3 (14. Ryan REVILL 17’, Stipe UKICH 64’, 75)
Eastern Suburbs U23 : 0
HT: 1-0
AC: 18 Nicolas EVANS (GK) 4. Jesse GAGE (c), 5. Aiden CAREY, (Mario YUGOVICH 76'), 6. Riley SEXTON, 9. Jesse BURGE, (19. Woodie WILSON 70’), 10. Caleb MOOSBALLY, 12. Jeremy FOO, 14. Ryan REVILL, 6. Petram HASSANIAN, (7. Stipe UKICH, 57’) 17. Oscar DUFFY, (15 Luka VICELICH, 57’), 21. Adam BELL
SUBS NOT USED : 1. Reon WERAHIKO GK),
HEAD COACH: Valerio RACCUGLIA
ASSISTANT COACH: Alfie ROGERS
TEAM MANAGER: Dinesh CHAND
OFC CHAMPS LEAGUE
Fri 17 May 2024, Stade Paea, Tahiti, 3pm local
Player Profiles
Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 8 | 24 |
| 2 |  | WS | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 10 | 24 |
| 3 |  | BU | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 10 | 22 |
| 4 |  | ES | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 11 | 18 |
| 5 |  | AU | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 18 | 11 | 15 |
| 6 |  | BO | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 18 | 15 |
| 7 |  | MN | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 22 | 17 | 13 |
| 8 |  | TC | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 23 | 13 |
| 9 |  | WR | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 24 | 5 |
| 10 |  | EB | 9 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 19 | 3 |
| 11 |  | MU | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 10 | 36 | 3 |
| 12 |  | HW | 9 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 29 | 2 |
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