City Look to Maintain Momentum

Words: ACFC Media

Friday 11 October 2024

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - In a bid to maintain their unblemished record, Auckland City FC face off against Cashmere Technical FC on Sunday afternoon at Kiwitea Street.

The Navy Blues, the solitary team to have secured maximum points after the initial two rounds of the National League, look to continue their winning streak.

Auckland City, having triumphed over Birkenhead United and reigning champions Wellington Olympic, will be keen to extend their momentum.

Their opponents, Cashmere Technical, have had an inconsistent start: a resounding 4-0 victory against Western Suburbs was followed by a disheartening 4-0 defeat to Wellington Phoenix Reserves.

This fixture represents the third meeting between the two sides.

The first encounter in the 2022 National League saw Auckland City clinch a 2-0 win, courtesy of goals from Ryan De Vries and Adam Mitchell.

Their more recent clash was a gripping affair, where Auckland City turned a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 win, thanks to late heroics from Tong Zhou, Emiliano Tade, and Liam Gillion.

"Cashmere Technical is a team with a wealth of experience," noted Navy Blues head coach Albert Riera.

Even though they have a few youngsters that are very promising, in general terms, I think they play in a very mature way,” explained the Navy Blues head coach.

“They know their strength. They know their weaknesses. And they try to capitalise on that.

“It's a team that are happy not having the ball and sometimes they're actually more dangerous when they don't have it, waiting for that counter.

“Kiwitea is a ground that really suits that sort of football. And we have to be smart,” added Riera.

Watch the match Live and Free on FIFA+ HERE

MATCH DETAILS
National League R3
Sunday 13 October
Auckland City FC vs Cashmere Technical
Kiwitea Street
Kick-off: 2:00pm

AC SQUAD: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK) 2. Mario ILICH (C) 3. Adam MITCHELL 4. Christian GRAY 5. Marco LORENZ 6. Kailan GOULD 7. Myer BEVAN 8. Gerard GARRIGA 9. Angus KILKOLLY 10. Dylan MANICKUM 11. Ryan DE VRIES 12. Regont MURATI 13. Nathan LOBO 14. Kentaro OZAKI 15. Aston BURNS 16. Joe LEE 17. Jerson LAGOS 18. Areya PRASAD (GK) 19. Yuki AIZU 20. Derek TIEKU 21. Adam BELL 22. Tong ZHOU 23. Alfie ROGERS 24. Nathan GARROW (GK) 25. Michael DEN HEIJER 26. Rayan TAYEB 27. Stipe UKICH 28. Luka VICELICH 29. Jesse GAGE 30. Matt MATANYAYIRE

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