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No extra motivation needed in Gridlock Derby

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 21 October 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC coach Albert Riera is expecting a stern challenge from Eastern Suburbs AFC in Sunday’s highly anticipated National League derby clash at Madills Farm.

Both the Navy Blues and the Lilywhites went unbeaten throughout the 22-match Northern League season in 2023 with the two sides playing out a 0-0 stalemate in round 7 at Kiwitea followed by a hard-fought 2-2 draw in their round 18 reverse fixture at Madills Farm.

And the City coach is adamant Sunday’s match will be another keenly contested encounter.

“I don’t actually recall any game this season and the previous seasons against Eastern Suburbs that has been an easy game, these guys are always very competitive even in friendly games so it’s not going to be no different, we are all very aware of how important for us this game is and how tough it’s going to be,” Riera said.

Despite their impressive Northern League campaign Eastern Suburbs are yet to kick into gear in the National League phase of the competition with three draws and a defeat in their four matches so far.

Riera believes the hosts will be fully motivated and focused trying to secure their first win against one of their arch-rivals.

“That’s going to be make them even more dangerous, they need the three points. They are aware of it, we also want the three points to keep going, we don’t want to drop any points.

“We have to be wary of the threats they present, both teams know each other very well, we know we will have to fight for every action, every ball, every fifty-fifty so yeah and exciting one and we are looking forward to it,” explained the City coach.

Rieara has been delighted with his side’s perfect start to the National League but he admits there is room for improvement.

“Yeah winning always helps you, especially when you see the other teams dropping points, we got four victories from four but some of the games probably we could have dome slightly better in some phases so we always look to improve.

“The games just going to get harder and harder, we are fully focused, we have fresh legs we have people coming in and that’s very nice to see because you need everyone involved to win the National League,” added the Navy Blues coach.

HEAD TO HEAD - EASTERN SUBURBS

Sunday’s match will be the 19th encounter between the two clubs since their first meeting in December 2016 which ended in a 1-0 win for City courtesy of an Emiliano Tade goal.

Despite pushing the Navy Blues to their limits on a number of occasions and four previous draws, two of which came during this year’s Northern League season, Eastern Suburbs are still searching for their first win against City.

RECENT FORM - EASTERN SUBURBS

NATIONAL LEAGUE

14 October v Wellington Olympic (A) drew 2-2
8 October v. Petone FC (H) drew 1-1
30 September v. Auckland United FC (A) drew 1-1
24 September v. Christchurch United (H) lost 0-1

NORTHERN LEAGUE

3 September v. Auckland United FC (H) drew 2-2
26 August v. West Coast Rangers FC (H) won 2-1
23 August v Birkenhead United AFC (A) won 0-2
12 August v. Bay Olympic (H) drew 1–1
5 August v. Auckland City FC (H) drew 2–1

Ends

Match Details
National League Championship R5
Sunday 22 October 2023
Eastern Suburbs v Auckland City FC
Madills Farm
Kick-off: 3.00pm NZDT

AC 2023 NLC SQUAD: 1-Conor TRACEY (GK), 2- Mario ILICH, 3- Adam MITCHELL, 4-Christian GRAY, 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- Takuya IWATA, 22-Tong ZHO, 23- Alfie ROGERS, 24-Joe WALLIS (GK), 25- Michael DEN HEIJER, 26-Rayan TAYEB, 27-Stipe UKICH, 28-Adam BELL

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