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City face crucial midweek clash in Hamilton

Words: ACFC Media

Tuesday 8 August 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Northern League leaders Auckland City FC will travel to the Waikato on Wednesday night to take on the Hamilton Wanderers in their catch-up game from Round 9 at Poritt Stadium which was postponed back in May due to the Navy Blues’ OFC Champion League commitments in Vanuatu.

Following last Saturday’s top-of-the table 2-2 draw with title rivals Eastern Suburbs, the Navy Blues have their destiny still in their own hands and they will be determined to return to Auckland with all three points in order to extend their advantage at the summit of the competition.

With only five Northern League matches remaining for both City and the Lilywhites, these two sides have already secured their qualification for the National League with an identical record of 14 wins and three draws so far this season.

However, the Navy Blues have a far superior goal difference with 50 goals for and and only eight against while Suburbs scored 39 times and conceded eleven goals from their 17 Northern League games.

A win against Hamilton on Wednesday night would maintain City's position at the top regardless of the result between Takapuna and Eastern Suburbs scheduled to be played at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium at the same time.

But the visitors are under no illusion about the challenge they will face against the Wanderers.

Joe Hinds’ men currently sit in sixth place on the competition ladder, seven points outside the top-four but they have a game in hand over fourth-placed Manurewa.

They also have an impressive home record and they are unbeaten in Hamilton in their past seven games there.

Riera insists his charges will not underestimate the task ahead but he believes his players are used to the weight of expectations.

“Always tough in Hamilton, we just came back from Melville and we just managed to win that game 1-nil, so it’s always tough against Hamilton and it’s not going to be different this time around,” said the Navy Blues head coach.

“The reality is when you play for Auckland City, it’s a must-win game every time. Whoever we play against we try to impose ourselves, play good football first and try to win the game,” Riera added.

The two clubs' rivalry stretches back to 2016 with 14 previous meetings between them.

Aukland City FC won 12 of those matches while the Wanderers recording just a single victory that ended 2-0 in Hamilton in 2021 courtesy of a brace by Derek Tieku.

The two sides were also forced to settle for a share of the points following a 1-all draw at Poritt Stadium last season.

Ends

Match Details
Northern League Round 9
Wednesday, 9 August 2023
Hamilton Wanderers v Auckland City FC
Poritt Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 7:30pm

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