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"We must enjoy the occasion" - Vicelich

Tuesday 8 March 2016

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AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Navy Blues assistant coach Ivan Vicelich said Auckland City FC must take the positives out of Sunday's 2-1 win over Canterbury United in the ASB Premiership semi-final.

The Navy Blues nosed in front after just three minutes courtesy of a Ryan De Vries close range finish but laboured as Canterbury United doggedly broke up the momentum of the game.

Vicelich, who captained Auckland City FC to their sixth national league title last season, complimented Canterbury on their approach and admitted they gave the Navy Blues plenty to think about.

"It feels great to be in another final but Canterbury United made the semi-final very difficult. They came with a game plan to sit back and play counter attacking football and it was effective.

"The early goal both settled and unsettled us - it gave us an early lead but then we never really got settled into our game plan. All credit to our boys because they worked very hard to get the right result," he said.

Canterbury equalised four minutes before halftime when Tom Schwarz header from a flicked on long throw beat Angel Berlanga, Jesse Edge and Diego Rivas to throw the game wide open.

Vicelich said that while the Navy Blues victory was far from a stellar performance, it was important to take positives from a tricky tie.

"Canterbury pressed us hard at times and we gave the ball away which wasn't good. But the good thing was we kept playing the way we want to and that shone through in the end.

"There were some good performances and some good goals," Vicelich said.

One player making his mark on the competition is Auckland City FC striker Ryan De Vries whose two goals set Auckland City FC on their way to victory.

De Vries, incredibly, is in line for his eighth consecutive ASB Premiership grand final after playing in five finals with Waitakere United and two with the Navy Blues.

He's finished on the winning side six times losing his first final back in 2008-09, ironically, to Auckland City FC.

Vicelich says De Vries' improvement in his two years with the Kiwitea Street outfit has been outstanding.

"Ryan is looking really sharp he's improved vastly over the past two years and he plays for the team and a lot of his goals come through combination play, quick thinking and his lightening quick pace.

"Ryan is a great asset, he's playing very well and hopefully he can continue to do that," he said.

Vicelich allayed fears Navy Blues supporters might have about the way his team overcame a stubborn Canterbury United with Thursday's ASB Premiership grand final just over 48 hours away.

"The important thing to recognise is we didn't play too well yet we still beat Canterbury United. We have to take the positives from that achievement. We're through to the final and we have to take confidence from that.

"Sunday's game was a playoff game, a one off game, and we got through it without playing our best game ever. It'll give us confidence and we have to be ready to enjoy the occasion and do our best to lift a trophy at the end of the game on Thursday," he said.

Navy Blues fans are gathering at Lone Star, Albany, from 4.35pm NZST onwards prior to Thursday night's match.

The game kicks off at 7.35pm NZST at QBE Stadium.

Ends

TICKET INFORMATION
ASB Premiership Grand Final tickets are available via Gate Sales only. Auckland City FC Season Ticket passes do not support entry to the match.

MEDIA ACCREDITATION
ASB Premiership Media Accreditation grants access to the stadium on Match Day. Media wishing to book seats in the media tribune are advised to contact New Zealand Football at media@nzfootball.co.nz

PRE-MATCH DETAILS
WHEN: Thursday 10 March, 2016
WHERE: Lone Star, 1/270 Oteha Valley Road, Albany, Auckland 0632
WHO: All Auckland City FC supporters
TIME: 4.30pm NZST onwards

TRAINING
Tuesday 8 March, 2016
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham
Time: 5.45pm NZST
Media interviews by request
Training open first 15 minutes only

Wednesday 9 March, 2016
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham
Time: 5.45pm NZST
Media interviews by request
Training open first 15 minutes only

MATCH DETAILS
Thursday 10 March, 2016
ASB Premiership Grand Final
Auckland City FC v Team Wellington
QBE Stadium, Albany
Kick-off: 7.35pm NZST
#ACvTW

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