Top Two set for pivotal showdown
Words: ACFC Media
Monday 5 August 2024
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - All eyes will be on Shepherds Park on Wednesday night when Northern League leaders Auckland City FC visit second-placed Birkenhead United at Shepherds Park.
The midweek Round 20 encounter promises excitement, drama, and high stakes as both teams vie for Northern League supremacy.
Recent Form
Auckland City FC is riding high after a dramatic win over Bay Olympic FC, with late goals from Jerson Lagos and Ryan De Vries. They now sit atop the competition ladder, two points clear of their rivals.
Birkenhead United, on the other hand, missed a penalty and had two goals disallowed in their scoreless draw against Hamilton Wanderers.
Previous Encounter
Three weeks ago, these two teams faced off in a thrilling match at the Croatian Club. Auckland City FC battled back from a 2-0 deficit to secure a hard-fought draw.
Monty Patterson was quick to assert dominance, heading home in the 4th minute for Birkenhead. He later doubled their advantage in the 29th minute.
Auckland City’s halftime team talk worked wonders, as substitute Michael Den Heijer’s powerful shot found the net in the 62nd minute.
In the 87th minute, another substitute, Regont Murati, struck a beautiful equalizer, leaving Birkenhead’s goalkeeper, Rodic, with no chance.
Players Preview
Navy Blues forward Ryan De Vries is expecting another closely contested encounter.
“Yeah, it'll be tough. I mean, you saw the draw at our home ground. So, I mean, I know they're looking forward to it. So are we, it's going to be an interesting one.
"It's very tight now, so, yeah, every game is like a final now. So it's crucial, it's crucial,” he said.
Jerson Lagos echoes his teammate’s sentiments.
“Definitely, it's going to be a really tough game. Obviously, we have to start as strong as possible.
“We know how Birkenhead play, we know how strong they are as a team. So we definitely have to go out there and just do what we do,” explained Lagos
Ends
HEAD TO HEAD
NORTHERN LEAGUE
2024
Auckland City FC 2-2 Birkenhead United
2023
Birkenhead United 0-2 Auckland City FC
Auckland City FC 5-1 Birkenhead United
2022
Birkenhead United 3-5 Auckland City FC
Auckland City FC 3-0 Birkenhead United
NATIONAL LEAGUE
2022
Birkenhead United 2-2 Auckland City FC
CHATHAM CUP
2021
Birkenhead United 3-3 AEST (PEN) 1-3 Auckland City FC
RECENT FORM - BIRKENHEAD UNITED AFC
NORTHERN LEAGUE RD 18
Saturday, August 3
Birkenhead United 0-0 Hamilton Wanderers
NORTHERN LEAGUE RD 21
Wednesday, July 31
Birkenhead United 3-1 Bay Olympic FC
CHATHAM CUP QF
Sunday, July 28
Napier City Rovers 1-4 Birkenhead United FC
NORTHERN LEAGUE RD 16
Wednesday, July 20
Manurewa 1-4 Birkenhead United FC
NORTHERN LEAGUE RD 10
Wednesday, July 17
Auckland City FC 2-2 Birkenhead United FC
NORTHERN LEAGUE RD 15
Saturday, July 13
Birkenhead United 1-2 Eastern Suburbs
MATCH DETAILS
Northern League Round 20
Wednesday, 7 August April 2024
Birkenhead United vs Auckland City FC
Shepherds Park
Kick-off: 7.00pm
AC SQUAD: 1-Conor TRACEY (GK), 2- Mario ILICH (c) 3- Adam MITCHELL, 4-Christian GRAY, 5. Marco LORENZ, 6- Kailan GOULD, 8-Gerard GARRIGA. 9-Angus KILKOLLY, 10-Dylan MANICKUM, 11-Ryan DE VRIES, 12- Regont MURATI, 13-Nathan LOBO, 14. Matthew MATANYAYIRE 15. Luka VICELICH, 16-Joe LEE, 17. Jerson LAGOS, 18 - Areya PRASAD (GK), 19-Liam GILLION, 20- Derek TIEKU, 21- Adam BELL, 22-Tong ZHO, 23- Alfie ROGERS, 24-Joe WALLIS (GK), 25- Michael DEN HEIJER, 26-Rayan TAYEB, 27-Stipe UKICH.
COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
TECHNICAL: Adria CASALS
LOGISTICS: Keith COTON
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
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Player Profiles
Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 22 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 53 | 21 | 51 |
| 2 |  | WS | 22 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 52 | 30 | 46 |
| 3 |  | ES | 22 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 38 | 20 | 44 |
| 4 |  | BU | 22 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 54 | 31 | 43 |
| 5 |  | AU | 22 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 39 | 27 | 40 |
| 6 |  | BO | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 39 | 42 | 28 |
| 7 |  | TC | 22 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 38 | 56 | 25 |
| 8 |  | WR | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 28 | 45 | 23 |
| 9 |  | EB | 22 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 29 | 38 | 22 |
| 10 |  | MN | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 41 | 56 | 19 |
| 11 |  | MU | 22 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 29 | 54 | 18 |
| 12 |  | HW | 22 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 28 | 48 | 14 |
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