Navy Blues outclass Waitakere 5-1

Words: ACFC Media

Friday 5 February 2016

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - The ASB minor premiership is within Auckland City FC's grasp after they romped to a 5-1 win over Waitakere United at QBE Stadium last night.

The victory handed the Navy Blues their eighth consecutive Super City derby win over their ailing rivals, a record winning run that breaks the previous record of seven set between 2004 and 2006.

It was also their fourth win in 12 days, a feat that saw almost every player in the squad gain pitch time.

Auckland City FC surged ten points clear of nearest rivals Canterbury United and now need just one more win to secure the minor title with three regular season fixtures remaining.

Beyond the statistical significance of this latest derby win was the quality of the performance by the defending champions.

Coach Ramon Tribulietx described the manner of victory as difficult.

"It was a hard game for 60 minutes then after we scored the third the game changed a bit.

"They were very competitive and in the second half they started the game a little bit deeper so we had a lot of ball but we lost a bit of patience when we penetrated that middle third.

"They pressed us a little higher and that changed the game completely but I've got nothing to say other than to be positive.

"This team has been unbelievable to win four games in 12 days we've had to play tough games but we've managed to play very good football, so we're very happy with that," he said.

Outstanding forward Ryan De Vries nosed the Navy Blues in front when he finished a Marko Dordevic cross from close range after Danny Robinson had palmed a swerving Mario Bilen volley into the path of the Serbian defender after just 10 minutes.

Darren White, back in the side after a spell on the fringes, then doubled the lead after De Vries and Clayton Lewis combined with two brilliant passes allowing White to tap home 10 minutes later.

There was brief respite for Waitakere United when Sam O'Regan nodded home a Jake Porter corner five minutes before the break.

The Navy Blues didn't take long to restore their two goal advantage when Takuya Iwata sped clear of the Waitakere United defence and picked out De Vries who applied a superb finish just after the restart.

Waitakere United huffed and puffed as they sort to stymy the Navy Blue tide but when Lewis slammed home a well-timed White cross beyond Robinson on 66 minutes the game was up.

De Vries completed the rout and his hat-trick when he finished another White cross after substitute Nathanael Hailemariam produced an astonishing defence splitting pass with 12 minutes to go.

Tribulietx was delighted with the combination play of his team and said pace was the key to a resounding victory.

"The story was to break through that middle third where it was very congested and when we did that there was plenty of space for us to exploit and sooner or later we were going to capitalise.

"We didn't capitalise enough in the first half in that regard but in the second the goals came early enough for us to give us the confidence to play our style of football.

"We can't relax because nothing's over yet, we've got three more games to play. Its good we have a break so we can recharge batteries and give the players a couple of days off. We've still got three games to go and there's plenty of work left to do," Tribulietx said.

Auckland City FC's next match is away to Canterbury United at ASB Football Park in Christchurch on February 14.

Ends

Match Result
ASB Premiership Round 11
Thursday 4 February, 2016
Auckland City FC 5 (Ryan DE VRIES 10', 49', 78', Darren WHITE 20', Clayton LEWIS 66')
Waitakere United 1 (Sam O'REGAN 40')
Halftime: 2-1.

Next Match
ASB Premiership Round 12
Sunday 14 February, 2016
Canterbury United v Auckland City FC
ASB Football Park, Christchurch
Kick-off: 4.35pm NZST

Published Friday 5 February, 2016