Navy Blues, Dragons produce goalless draw

Words: ACFC Media

Sunday 30 September 2018

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC and Canterbury United produced a 0-0 draw in the latest ISPS Handa Premiership pre-season action at Auckland Grammar.

Fabrizio Tavano saw a free-kick slam into the visitor's crossbar with eight minutes left while Micah Lea'alafa and Javier Iglesias had decent half-chances stopped by former Navy Blues goalkeeper Conor Tracey.

The first half produced a physical encounter with few chances but once the Navy Blues got into their stride they looked the more likely of the two teams to open the scoring.

David Browne was in outstanding form and opened Canterbury United up with a brilliant through ball for Lea'alafa who was sent racing clear of the defence only for Tracey to intervene.

Cameron Brown - in goal for the first half for Auckland City FC - pulled off a fine save from Aaron Spain in the opening exchanges and that was the closest the visitors came to landing a meaningful blow.

82’- CHANCE- Fabrizio Tavano rattles the Canterbury United crossbar with a beautiful freekick #ACvCU 0-0 #Preseason pic.twitter.com/4uzuKvduwf
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) September 30, 2018

The Navy Blues made seven halftime changes handing opportunities to goalkeeper Ruben Parker and new signings Dylan Manickum, Hayden McHenerey, Maro Bonsu Maro, Yousif Al Kalisy, Jordan Vale and Brian Kaltack.

Predictably the match opened up in the second half and with the shackles off there were chances at both ends.

Canterbury looked dangerous on the counter attack and managed to put the Navy Blues under pressure from wide areas but they lacked a finish.

By contrast, the Navy Blues threatened from a variety of positions with Lea'alafa especially looking sharp and Manickum also causing problems.

Tavano struck the crossbar from long range with a free-kick for the game's final event of note.

Auckland City FC's next pre-season friendly is away to Eastern Suburbs AFC at Madills Farm on Saturday 6 October 2018.

The game kicks off at 2.30pm NZST.

Ends

Match Result
Pre-season friendly
Sunday 30 September 2018
Auckland City FC 0
Canterbury United 0
HT: 0-0

AC: Cameron Brown (GK) (Ruben Parker (GK) 46'); Alfie Rogers (Brian Kaltack 46'), Angel Berlanga (c), Mario Bilen, Takuya Iwata (Hayden McHenerey 46'); David Browne (Dylan Manickum 46'), Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi (Jordan Vale 46'), Cam Howieson (Fabrizio Tavano 46'), Micah Lea'alafa, Reid Drake (Yousif Al Kalisy 60'); Javier Lopez (Maro Bonsu-Maro 46').

Coach: Ramon Tribulietx.