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Navy Blues just one game away from title

Words: ACFC Media

Friday 1 September 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC will be aiming to clinch their third consecutive Northern League crown when they host Manukau United FC in the competition’s final round at Kiwitea Street on Saturday afternoon.

The Navy Blues, who also have a historic unbeaten season in their sights, are firm favourites to complete the job against a struggling Manukau side anchored to the bottom of the competition table.

So far the South Auckland club have only picked up nine points throughout the entire 2023 campaign with three wins and 18 defeats from their 21 matches to face almost certain relegation.

In order to survive Manukau will need to produce a big upset against the defending champions and hope that both Bay Olympic and Takapuna above them have a poor final day.

On the other hand, City are two points clear of Eastern Suburb and have a far superior goal difference than their closest rivals which means even a draw would be enough for Albert Riera’s men to secure their third Northern League title in a row.

However, defender Mario Ilich insists the Navy Blues are determined to sign off in style in front of their fans at Kiwitea.

“The boys are wrapped with how we have done this season, it has come down to the wire obviously with Eastern Suburbs right on our tail this whole year which has been good because they pushed us to be even better every week.

“So yeah, we are looking forward to get back home against Manukau and really show what we have got in front of our fans, putting in a good performance,” Ilich explained.

City striker Ryan De Vries, who is currently in second place in the race for the Golden Boot with 16 goals and only one behind Derek Tieku from the Hamilton Wanderers, will also be looking for a profitable afternoon in front of goal.

These two sides have faced each other on five previous occasions in the Northern League with City winning four and drawing one game 2-all in June 2021.

The Navy Blues also defeated Manukau 6-0 in Round 3 of the Chatham Cup last year and recorded a 2-0 victory in a friendly encounter back in 2020.

Their last encounter ended in a 5-0 win for the Auckland City with Ryan De Vries scoring a hat-trick and Gerard Garriga grabbing a brace on 14 June 20023 under lights at Mangere Centre Park.

Meanwhile Auckland City FC U-23s will also be aiming for their third consecutive Lotto NRFL U-23 Premiership title when they host Manukau United at the Croatian Club from 12:00 pm on Saturday.

The young Navy Blues are one point clear of their title rivals Bay Olympic at the top of the Premiership table and they will defend their crown with a victory against the competition’s celler dwellers.

Ends

Match Details
Northern League Round 22
Saturday, 2 September 2023
Auckland City FC v Manukau United
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham, Kick-off: 3:00pm

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, 17-Oliver COLLOTY, 18. Sebastian CIGANDA (GK), 19-Liam GILLION, 20- Emiliano TADE, 21- Adam BELL, 22-Tong ZHO, 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