Waitakere down 8-man Navy Blues

Words: ACFC Media

Sunday 26 February 2017

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC's tilt at the Stirling Sports minor premiership title is under threat after they were well beaten by Waitakere United 4-1.

The Navy Blues took the lead via an unusual method. Alfie Rogers measured free-kick wide on the left found a closely marked Emiliano Tade in the penalty area. Somehow Tade kept his poise and guided an expertly timed header beyond goalkeeper Pirmin Strasser.

But the match turned on its head when Keegan Linderboom took a quick free-kick that left Enaut Zubikarai scrambling and concluded with the ball in the back of the net.

Angel Berlanga and Emiliano Tade both saw yellow cards after protesting but matters worsened for the Navy Blues after the restart. An off the ball incident between Ethan Galbraith and Fabrizio Tavano saw the Waitakere United player end up on the floor while play raged on.

An all-in melee ensued as players from both teams converged in the centre circle and once referee Chris Kerr and his assistant referees regained control it was inevitable a red card would be shown.Tavano was the player ordered off while Galbraith was booked.

The Navy Blues were reduced to nine men ten minutes after the restart when Albert Riera received a second caution for a tackle from behind.

The cards kept coming and just after the hour mark Darren White joined Riera and Tavano in the dressing room when he made a lunge on Linderboom.

Julyan Collett scored from close range with 15 minutes left to take any faint hope the Navy Blues had of a comeback. Scott Hilliar nabbed goal number four with two minutes to play to inflict Auckland City FC's heaviest ever defeat in a Super City derby.

Eastern Suburbs AFC's 2-1 win over Canterbury United means next week's clash at Kiwitea Street assumes massive importance. A win would still be enough to keep the Navy Blues minor title hopes alive but a defeat could see them finish as low as third and open up a chance for Team Wellington and Waitakere United to claim it for themselves.

Team Wellington can reach a maximum of 36 points - the same as Auckland City FC providing they beat the Lilywhites - while Waitakere United will be red hot favourites to beat the Wellington Phoenix U-20s.

Hawke's Bay United will watch with interest as the most points they can attain is 32 and they play Hamilton Wanderers and Southern United to complete their regular season campaign.

Ends

Match Result
Stirling Sports Premiership
Sunday 26 February 2017
Waitakere United 4 (Keegan Linderboom 30', Stefan Thelen 43', Julyan Collett 67', Scott Hilliar 88')
Auckland City FC 1 (Emiliano Tade 13')
Halftime: 2-1
Fabrizio Tavano (AC) red card
Albert Riera (AC) red card
Darren White (AC) red card