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De Vries goal seals win over Rewa

Words: ACFC Media

Sunday 1 October 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Ryan De Vries' first-half goal gave Albert Riera's Auckland City FC a tough 1-0 victory over Manurewa on Sunday, their second consecutive win in the National League Championship.

After Manurewa had given a good opening account of themselves, forward De Vries gave the hosts the lead as his brilliant low shot sped past goalkeeper Regan Diver after 22 minutes.

Riera's side were given a stern test by the visitors who put their previous two results against the Navy Blues firmly behind them with an energetic and committed performance that drew top performances from City's player of the match, Adam Mitchell, and defensive counterpart, Christian Gray.

The result means City go level on points with Wellington Olympic and Christchurch United with the Navy Blues facing both at Kiwitea Street in the final two rounds of the competition.

Missing for City were Emiliano Tade, Joe Lee, Regont Murati, futsal international, Dylan Manickum, Angus Kilkolly, Adam Bell and Aidan Carey.

VIDEO - Ryan De Vries scores the winner

23' | 1-0

GOAL!!! Ryan De Vries smashes home to put the #NavyBlues in front. #ACvMA #NZNationalLeague #StrengthinUnity #NavyBlues pic.twitter.com/TBnUwVrBUp
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) October 1, 2023

Outstanding for Paul Marshall's team were skipper Agustin Contratti, Boon Ozawa, Dylan Morris and Sammy Khan, although any one of the visitors could lay claim to a solid display.

De Vries, who netted his 30th goal of the season, was replaced at half time by Oliver Colloty.

Riera said: "The National League is just nine games so winning the first two games is very important but the truth is we didn't have our best game today.

"It was a slow pitch with slow conditions and Manurewa worked very hard. Man for man, they press very aggressively and we have to understand when to play to feet or when to stretch them.

"We need to understand when to play into feet and when to go in behind them because for much of the second half we played into their press.

"We weren't good at regaining second balls which made the game harder. We did keep another clean sheet and the lads are happy with that but I felt we gave them too many half chances.

"I'm happy with the six points but not the performance. We worked very hard but with the ball we should've been much better," he said.

In other results, Eastern Suburbs and Auckland United drew 1-1, Wellington Olympic blew Napier City Rovers apart in the capital in a 7-1 drubbing and Petone, now last, were dispatched 5-1 at home by Cashmere Technical.

Christchurch United kept their momentum up with a comfortable 2-0 win over Wellington Phoenix development team who now sit second to last in the table.

Auckland City FC's next game is at Bluewater Stadium, Napier, when they take on Napier City Rovers on Sunday 8 October at 2.00pm.

You can watch the game live in its entirety on FIFA+ - details available from New Zealand Football.

Ends

Match Result
National League Championship R2
Sunday 1 October 2023
Auckland City FC 1 (Ryan DE VRIES 22')
Manurewa AFC 0
HT: 1-0.

AC: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Christian GRAY, 7. Cam HOWIESON (c), 8. Gerard GARRIGA (21. Takuya IWATA 83'), 11. Ryan DE VRIES (17. Oliver COLLOTY 46'), 13. Nathan LOBO (22. Tong ZHOU 90'+4'), 14. Jordan VALE, 25. Michael DEN HEIJER, 26. Rayan TAYEB (19. Liam GILLION 68').

SUBS NOT USED: 24. Joe WALLIS (GK).

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