Garriga goal seals friendly draw
DUBAI, UAE - Auckland City FC continued their preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 with a 1-1 draw with UAE first division side Al Dhaid at their training camp in Dubai today.
A late equaliser by Gerard Garriga just moments after the midfielder's header was disallowed handed the Oceania champions a share of the spoils in a keenly contested friendly at the Al Hamriyah Cultural Sports Club in warm late afternoon conditions.
City nearly took an early lead when Adam Bell's cutback found Angus Kilkolly at the nearpost forcing a quick save by goalkeeper Ali Rashid.
Conor Tracey was also called into action with a low save to his left when Seyed Buria's right foot shot through a crowded penalty box was deflected wide by the Navy Blues stopper.
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) November 30, 2023
Coach Albert Riera made good on his intention to ring the changes with a welcome return for Alfie Rogers and a debut for Vanuatu international defender Tom Boulet with every player in the squad given minutes with the exception of goalkeeper Sebastian Ciganda.
The home side eventually took the lead in the 88th minute when Salem Musabah's finish found the back of the net.
City responded almost immediately when Garriga was first to an Emiliano Tade corner only for the referee to disallow the effort for a foul on Ali Rashid.
Moments later, City were level anyway.
Garriga found himself in space before dispatching a low finish past the keeper in additional time to make it 1-1.
Auckland City FC continue their training camp tomorrow with a session planned for late afternoon at another training base within Dubai.
The next prestige friendly is scheduled for Wednesday 6 December against another UAE first division opponent, United FC.
Ends
Match Result
Thursday 30 November 2023
Prestige Friendly
Al Dhaid 1 (Salem MUSABAH 88')
Auckland City FC 1 (Gerard GARRIGA 90'+3')
HT: 0-0.
AC: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Christian GRAY, 5. Timothy BOULET, 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. Joe LEE, 18. Joe WALLIS (GK), 19. Liam GILLION, 20. Emiliano TADE, 21. Adam BELL, 22. Tong ZHOU, 23. Alfie ROGERS, 24. Sebastian CIGANDA (GK), 25. Michael DEN HEIJER, 26. Rayan TAYEB.
COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
FITNESS: Adria CASALS
LOGISTICS: Keith COTON
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
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Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 7 | 18 |
| 2 |  | WS | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 6 | 18 |
| 3 |  | BU | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 13 |
| 4 |  | ES | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 | 12 |
| 5 |  | BO | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
| 6 |  | MN | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 10 |
| 7 |  | AU | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 9 |
| 8 |  | TC | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 19 | 6 |
| 9 |  | MU | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 25 | 3 |
| 10 |  | WR | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 2 |
| 11 |  | EB | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 2 |
| 12 |  | HW | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 18 | 2 |
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