Pre-season underway for City

Words: ACFC Media

Tuesday 20 February 2024

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC's preparations for the new season are underway after a friendly with Northern League rivals Birkenhead United at a sun drenched Croatian Cultural Society on Saturday morning.

A Sam Phillip's goal midway through the second half gave coach Paul Hobson's team a 1-0 victory in a game where both teams utilised the opportunity to give players minutes in the build-up to the new season.

The Navy Blues next friendly games see them take on West Coast Rangers (February 21), Eastern Suburbs (February 24) and Manurewa AFC (March 2) before facing New Zealand champions Wellington Olympic in the OFC Champions League Playoffs in a two-legged tie for a place in the group stages in Tahiti in May.

Elsewhere, Auckland City FC U-23s have made a solid start to their friendly programme with wins over sides from Metro (5-2) and Mount Albert Pononsby (2-0).

Last year, the U-23s won the Lotto NRFL U-23 Premier Division title for the third season in a row.

Ends

Match Result
Pre-season friendly
Saturday 17 February 2024
Auckland City FC 0
Birkenhead United 1 (Sam PHILLIP)
HT: 0-0.

AC (squad from): 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Christian GRAY, 5. Timothy BOULET, 8. Gerard GARRIGA, 9. Angus KILKOLLY. 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 11. Ryan DE VRIES, 12. Regont MURATI, 13. Nathan LOBO, 14. Jordan VALE, 16. Joe LEE, 19. Liam GILLION, 21. Adam BELL, 22. Tong ZHOU, 23. Alfie ROGERS, 24. Joe WALLIS (GK), 25. Michael DEN HEIJER, 26. Rayan TAYEB 27. Stipe UKICH, 28. Caleb MOOSBALLY.