Grand Final heartbreak for Navy Blues

Words: ACFC media

Sunday 26 November 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC’s reign as National League champions has come to end following a 2-0 defeat to Wellington Olympic in the rematch of last year’s title decider at Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Second-half goals by Kalian Gould and Jack Henry-Sinclair separated the two sides in a game Auckland City FC were punished for not finishing their chances.

The Navy Blues have dominated both possession and territory for long periods and came agonisingly close to scoring on a number of occasions but weren’t clinical enough in front of goal.

Captain Cam Howieson was denied by the crossbar as his powerful drive from the edge of the box crashed against the underside of the woodwork before bouncing just centimetres outside the goal line.

Gerard Garriga put the ball narrowly wide with just Scott Basalaj to beat before forcing a crucial save from the Olympic gloveman with a close range header.

The Navy Blues looked to maintain their attacking push after the half-time break but found themselves behind against the run of play in the 58th minute when Joel Stevens picked out Gould inside the box and despite City keeper Conor Tracey managing to put a hand on the ball he couldn’t prevent it to rolling into his net.

Experienced attacking duo Emiliano Tade and Ryan De Vries came off the bench and both looked threatening from the outset.

Basalaj kept De Vries out and Tade was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet as his superbly struck free-kick smashed into the post.

Olympic put the result beyond any doubt deep into injury time courtesy of Jack-Henry Sinclair driving into the empty net with Tracey up at the other end of the field as Auckland City were searching for a set piece equaliser in the dying minutes.

It’s Olympic’s maiden National League title while Auckland City will need to to switch their focus to next month’s FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

These two sides are set to lock horns again in a two-legged playoff early next year to become New Zealand’s representative at the 2024 OFC Champions League.

Ends

Match Result
Saturday, 26 November 2023
National League Grand Final
Wellington Olympic AFC : 2 (Kailan Gould 58′, Jack-Henry Sinclair 90+5′)
Auckland City FC: 0

HT: 0-0

AC: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK) 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 7. Cam HOWIESON, 8. Gerard GARRIGA, (12. Regont MURATI 76’), 9. Angus KILKOLLY, (11. Ryan DE VRIES 71'), 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 13. Nathan LOBO, 14. Jordan VALE, (20. Emiliano TADE 76’), 16. Joe LEE, (19. Liam GILLION 63'), 25. Michael DEN HEIJER

SUBS NOT USED: 24. Joe WALLIS (GK), 21. Takuya IWATA, 22. Tong ZHOU

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