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U-23s claim title in emphatic manner

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 2 September 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC U-23 have secured their third Lotto NRFL Premiership title in a row following a crushing 9-1 win over Manukau United FC U-23 in the final round of the competition at the Croatian Club on Saturday afternoon.

Ryan Revill netted four goals, skipper Jesse Gage converted from the spot while Stipe Ukich came off the bench to grab a quick-fire brace during the closing stages of the one-sided encounter.

Revill got the ball rolling by picking out the top right corner with a lovely finish in the 9th minute to settle his side’s nerves.

The Navy Blues controlled both possession and territory with high pressing and accurate passing with Revill, Mathew Murayiro Matanyayire and Regont Murati all looking dangerous in the final third.

Valerio Raccuglia’s men have doubled their advantage following a good run on the left by Matanyayire forcing a defensive mistake from Nicolas Reyes Alarcon who turned the ball into his own net.

Revill grabbed his second and the Navy Blues third by smashing home from inside the box but the visitors pulled one back courtesy of Balvinder Singh Gill against the run of play in the 39th minute.

In the second half the City youngsters were at their clinical and ruthless best with Revill grabbing another two to put the result beyond any doubt.

Murati added another with a superb finish before captain Jesse Gage converted from the penalty spot to mark his 50th game for the club.

Rising Auckland City star Stipe Ukich, fresh from returning from the National Secondary School finals where he picked up the Golden Boot with 10 goals from seven matches, came off the bench in the last ten minutes to bag two quick goals putting the icing on the 9-1 win.

The result means the the Navy Blues youngsters finished top of the Premiership table, one point clear of Bay Olympic to secure their third consecutive title.

Congratulations to Auckland City FC U-23s, Valerio Raccuglia and his entire coaching and management staff on a successful 2023 season!

Match Result
Lotto NRFL U-23 Premier Division Round 22
Saturday 2 September 2023
Croatian Club, Te Atatu South
Auckland City FC U-23: 9 (’Ryan REVILL 10', 35', 56', 69, Nicolas REYES ALARCON 26' (OG), Regont MURATI 73' Jesse GAGE 81’, Stipe UKICH 90', 90’+4)
Manukau FC U-23: 1 (Balvinder SINGH GILL 39’)

HT: 3-1

AC: 18. Sebastian CIGANDA, 3. Jeremy FOO, 16. Petram HASSANIAN 69’), 4. Jesse GAGE (c), 6. Riley SEXTON, 8. Matthew Murayiro MATANYAYIRE, (17. Oscar DUFFY 61’), 9. Jesse BURGE, 10. Caleb MOOSBALLY, 12. Regont MURATI, 14. Ryan REVILL, (7. Stipe UKICH 81’), 15. Luka VICELICH, 20. Neo Noah ECKSTEIN, ( 5. Mario YUGOVICH), 21. Adam BELL

SUBS NOT USED : 1 .Reon WERAHIKO GK)

HEAD COACH: Valerio RACCUGLIA
ASSISTANT COACH: Alfie ROGERS
ASSISTAN COACH: Jay BLAKE
TEAM MANAGER: Dinesh CHAND