City to Face Gridlock Derby Test

Words: ACFC Media

Thursday 24 October 2024

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Auckland City FC brace themselves for a stern challenge as they head to Madills Farm to take on rivals Eastern Suburbs AFC in Sunday’s Round 5 National League showdown.

City sit atop the league with an unbeaten run of four wins and one draw, holding a three-point lead over Cashmere Technical and Birkenhead United.

In contrast, the Lilywhites, are five points behind after a rocky start featuring two losses, a draw, and a single win.

This fixture marks the 20th meeting between these two clubs since their inaugural clash in December 2016.

The last face-off, in Northern League's R13 in June, saw Auckland City suffer their first-ever defeat to Eastern Suburbs, with Jake Mechell scoring an early and decisive goal at Madills Farm.

Albert Riera’s charges are determined to avenge that loss and reinforce their stronghold on the league.

Last weekend’s narrow victory over a struggling Western Suburbs side served as a stark reminder that no match in this league is easy, underscoring the need for City to be at their best to maintain their unbeaten streak.

Eastern Suburbs, on the other hand, will be looking to shake off their recent 1-0 home defeat to Western Springs and revive their 2024 campaign.

This derby promises to be a fierce contest with both teams eager to prove a point and secure vital league points.

And you can watch it Live and Free on FIFA+ HERE

MATCH DETAILS
National League R5
Sunday 27 October
Eastern Suburbs vs Auckland City FC
Madills Farm
Kick-off: 1:00pm

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