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Ilich winner sinks Phoenix

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 23 September 2023

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A goal by stand-in skipper Mario Ilich was enough to give Auckland City FC maximum points on the road as the Navy Blues toppled Wellington Phoenix in the capital today.

Coach Albert Riera was shorn of two striking options this week with the club's two top goalscorers Emiliano Tade and Ryan De Vries not included in the trip south opening up an opportunity for new signing Ollie Colloty to step into the fray.

Cam Howieson was back in the squad for the first time since the 5th August and his superb solo goal against East Suburbs while Nathan Lobo returned in place of Takuya Iwata who was benched.

VIDEO - Mario Ilich scores the winner

64’ | 0-1

GOAL!!!, Mario Ilich

It’s the skipper with a nice goal at the far post!#NZNationalLeague #WPAC pic.twitter.com/7Hhu3zZgdd
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) September 23, 2023

City dominated the first half with the home side conjuring only one real chance when keeper Joe Wallis was forced into a good save with ten minutes of the first half to play.

The Wellington Phoenix produced an organised and well-drilled performance but were finally undone when Ilich popped up at the back post to net the winner halfway through the second half, his first goal of the season.

It was Ilich's eighth goal for the club in his 110th appearance and capped off an assured display by the experienced midfielder.

Riera said: "It's always very important to start a new competition with three points, especially away from home and in a competition that is only nine games long and every game is a final.

"I'm very happy with the win. With the performance, we knew we were up against a team that was technically very good and they made it extremely hard for us.

"In the first half we created a few clear cut chances and at half time we agreed we needed to be more clinical and have more composure in front of goal.

"We have to get better in front of goal. They defended very deep on a very big pitch and played through us on the counter sometimes.

"Our work ethic was spot on but we have a few areas to improve on but overall that was a massive three points."

The National League Championship first round gets underway elsewhere tomorrow with four games on the card.

Manurewa host Wellington Olympic at Memorial Park at 1pm, Petone travel to Bluewater Stadium to face Napier City Rovers at 2pm while an hour later, Cashmere Technical entertain Auckland United in Christchurch.

Eastern Suburbs AFC and Christchurch United are in Kohimarama with the game kicking off at 4.00pm.

Ends

Match Result
National League Championship
Saturday 23 September 2023
Wellington Phoenix 0
Auckland City FC 1 (Mario ILICH 64')
HT: 0-0.

AC: 24. Joe WALLIS (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Christian GRAY, 8. Gerard GARRIGA (7. Cam HOWIESON 59'), 9. Angus KILKOLLY (19. Liam GILLION 53'), 13. Nathan LOBO, 14. Jordan VALE, 16 Joe LEE, 17. Ollie COLLOTY (26. Rayan TAYEB 78'), 25. Michael DEN HEIJER.

SUBS: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 28. Takuya IWATA.

COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
TECHNICAL: Adria CASALS
LOGISTICS: Keith COTON
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE