City Seal Title Winning Campaign With Win
Words: ACFC Media
Saturday 31 August 2024
HAMILTON, New Zealand – Auckland City FC have displayed their title winning credentials with an entertaining win against Melville.
The Navy Blues travelled to Hamilton with the Northern League crown already secured following last weekend’s results.
With the trophy returning to Kiwitea Street for the fourth consecutive season, Albert Riera’s men were eager to end their campaign on a high note, using this match as a crucial tune-up for next Saturday’s Chatham Cup final.
Meanwhile, hosts Melville United were fighting for their Northern League survival, desperate for a result to avoid relegation.
The match began with a touch of class as Melville players formed a guard of honour, clapping the champions onto the pitch.
Auckland City’s squad featured a mix of seasoned players and rising stars, including Matthew Matanyayire and goalkeeper Araya Prasad in the starting lineup. Prasad’s fellow keeper Reon Werahiko, along with defenders Jesse Gage and Luka Vicelich, were on the bench.
The visitors dominated the early exchanges, controlling both possession and territory. However, they were unable to break the deadlock, with Melville keeper Max Tommy producing a series of key saves. Melville looked dangerous on the counter, forcing Prasad into action at the other end.
After a scoreless first half, the breakthrough came on the hour mark when Joe Lee opened the scoring for Auckland City. The visitors then extended their lead with a quickfire brace from Derek Tieku, putting them three goals ahead within ten minutes.
Jerson Lagos came agonisingly close to extending City’s lead on two occasions as the clock ran down.
To their credit, Melville kept fighting and almost pulled off a remarkable recovery, netting twice in injury time to cause a late scare for the champions.
However, it wasn’t to be, as the Navy Blues held on to secure a 3-2 victory, marking their fourth consecutive Northern League title in style. Melville, on the other hand, were forced to accept their relegation fears.
The match was a memorable occasion for Gage and Vicelich, who both came off the bench for their senior debuts. When Vicelich came on, he and his father Ivan, the current assistant coach, became the second father-son duo to represent Auckland City FC in a competitive match, following in the footsteps of Keryn and Liam Jordan.
Ends
MATCH DETAILS
NORTHERN LEAGUE R22
Saturday, 31 August 2024
Melville Utd AFC : 2 (Erik PANZER 90'+2' Campbell BROWN 90'+3)
Auckland City FC: 3 (Joe LEE 60' Derek TIEKU 63', 71')
HT: 0-0
AC: 18. Areya PRASAD (GK), 3. Adam MITCHELL (C), (2. Mario ILICH 46’), 5. Marco LORENZ, 12. Regont MURATI, (15. Luka VICELICH 70’), 16. Joe LEE, 17. Jerson LAGOS, 20. Derek TIEKU, 21. Adam BELL, 23. Matthew Murayiro MATANYAYIRE, (27. Stipe UKICH 61’), 25 Michael DEN HEIJER, (14. Jesse GAGE 61’), 26. Rayan TAYEB
SUBS NOT USED: 24. Reon WERAHIKO (GK),
COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
TECHNICAL: Adria CASALS
LOGISTICS: Keith COTTON
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
FIFA INTERCONTINENTAL CUP
22 September 2024, v Al Ain, UAE, kick-off: 7.30pm local
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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