We must keep building – Tribulietx

Words: ACFC Media

Friday 10 November 2017

Ramon Tribulietx says things are beginning to click for the Navy Blues four games into their ISPS Handa Premiership campaign but warns against complacency ahead of a visit from Hamilton Wanderers on Sunday.

The visitors may be bottom of the table but Tribulietx says two recent narrow defeats suggest they are a far stronger side than their position suggests.

“I watched Wanderers’ game against Eastern Suburbs and they competed well. They were very aggressive and at Kiwitea Street when you play like that the game becomes a little bit uncomfortable so we have to respect Hamilton just the same as we do with any team,” said Tribulietx

“It doesn’t matter to us if they’ve got more or less points. We need to understand the game will be difficult for different reasons.”

Tribulietx is also full of respect for Wanderers coach Ricki Herbert who brought national league and Chatham Cup trophies to Kiwitea Street as coach of Central United in the late 90s. Herbert’s return is also a timely link to Saturday afternoon’s momentous FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Wellington given he guided the All Whites back to the FIFA World Cup via a similar intercontinental tie eight years ago.

“Ricki coached Central at Kiwitea Street so he understands what it’s like to play on that pitch. He will pit out a very strong team, and one that is especially strong in defence. We need to make sure we prepare well.”

The Navy Blues should welcome back Ryan De Vries after the striker sat out Sunday’s win over Canterbury with an ankle knock picked up the week before. In other positive team news, Kris Bright is also back in training but the striker – who debuted for New Zealand under Herbert – might yet need another week before being in contention. Meanwhile, Owen Parker-Price looks set for a lengthy wait on the side-lines after breaking a metatarsal in training last week.

After one point from their opening two fixtures, the Navy Blues have won two on the bounce and Tribulietx says cohesion and understanding is now increasing as recent signing get better integrated into the Auckland City way.

“It’s looking very good with the new players beginning to understand the mechanisms and those things are beginning to happen automatically which makes it a lot easier to play with us.

The visit from Wanderers is the second match in a vital run of four straight home games for the Navy Blues before departing for the FIFA Club World Cup and while Tribulietx is happy with the team’s current form he is calling for further improvement and crystal-clear focus over this period.

“It’s all about continuing what we’re doing. The possession is now looking very good – much better than the start of the season and that’s helping us to compete better. The way we competed last weekend against a very aggressive team we made a lot of good decisions especially with the ball and how to use that space to get us in behind. Apart from the possession, the tactical side of the story has been well executed – it’s also the understanding of the type of game we’ve got in front of us – which things we can do from what the opposition are doing.

“We need to continue with that, especially over the next three weeks. We’ve got three important games before we go. We take each game step by step obviously but with these next three games at him they will be very important. But that said, Hamilton is our only focus right now.”

The game kicks off on Sunday 12 November at 1.15pm NZST followed by a National Youth League clash between the same clubs at 4.30pm

Ends

Match Details
ISPS Handa Premiership Round 4
Sunday 12 November 2017
Auckland City FC v Hamilton Wanderers
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham
Kick-off: 1.15pm NZST
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#ISPSHandaPrem
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