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Five star Navy Blues brush by Bay

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 25 November 2017

Picture: Phototek

 AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC depart for the UAE in fine fettle after a 5-0 thrashing of Hawke's Bay United at Kiwitea Street today.

The Navy Blues stunning form in the new campaign continued with a five goal show that could easily have been by a far wider margin.

Emiliano Tade began the rout after just 13 minutes when he evaded two challenges to slot past goalkeeper Ruben Parker but it was the second half performance of the Navy Blues front three that caught the eye.

Ole Academy product Callum McCowatt, signed from Western Suburbs, has proved to be a shrewd acquisition and with his deft touch, vision and ability to bring others in to play has added another dimension to the Navy Blues attacking force.

McCowatt didn't get on the scoresheet today but his influence was felt throughout including a wonderful move with Tade and Ryan De Vries in the first half that deserved a goal for its sheer technical appeal alone.

De Vries extended the lead after the break when he somehow stayed on his feet in the Bay penalty box before slotting past Parker.

Tade nabbed a third from the penalty mark after McCowatt was bundled over before De Vries smashed home an unstoppable volley from substitute Takuya Iwata's right foot cross.

The best was saved for last when Dan Morgan collected a Cam Howieson pass then strode forward to unleash a ferocious long range shot that ripped into the top right hand corner of Parker's net.

The unfortunate Bay goalkeeper received little protection from his team-mates but pulled off a good save from McCowatt when the Navy Blues frontman bamboozled two opponents only for Parker to block bravely at his near post.

The victory was the Navy Blues biggest over Hawke's Bay United since 2010-11 when they beat the Bay by the same margin.

Coach Ramon Tribulietx was pleased with the manner of the win but advised caution ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.

"We have to remember where we are coming from and stay humble because the FIFA Club World Cup is a different level for us to compete at.

"The last domestic game before a Club World Cup is always a difficult one to play for obvious reasons but we were focused on the job.

"The Bay are a difficult team in the way they sit on a small pitch that is bumpy but we understood the way to penetrate their two blocks of four and how they want us to play.

"We had a lot of chances and the combination play was also very good. We made good decisions on the ball and we're very happy with the way we understood what was required.

AUDIO - Ramon Tribulietx

"Today gives us the confidence that we understand what it means to play the style we play and our new players are settled," he told www.aucklandcityfc.com

One concern for the Navy Blues is the condition of defender Dae Wook Kim who was substituted after half an hour with a knock.

Kim, who scored in last year's FIFA Club World Cup clash with Kashima Antlers, took a knock to his ankle but is expected to be fit for what lies ahead.

The Navy Blues next match is a friendly with Al Ain on Wednesday 29 November 2017.

Ends

Match Result
Saturday 25 November 2017
ISPS Handa Premiership
Auckland City FC 5 (Emiliano Tade 13’, 64’-pen; Ryan De Vries 53', 71', Dan Morgan 75')
Hawke's Bay United 0
HT: 1-0

AC: Zubikarai (GK); Kim (Iwata 31'), Howieson, Edge, Berlanga(c)(R Drake 73'), De Vries (Bright 78'), Hudson-Wihongi, Tade, Dordevic, McCowatt.

Subs not used: D. Drake (RGK), Riera.

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