Post-match reaction: 'Southern game let us assess'

Words: ACFC Media

Thursday 14 February 2019

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Ramon Tribulietx says latest domestic result ideal opportunity to measure where his squad is at ahead of the OFC Champions League.

The Navy Blues fought back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Southern United at Sunnyvale Park on Wednesday in what was their fifth game in just 11 days following clashes Canterbury United (won 1-0), Shandong Luneng Taishan (lost 1-2), Hong Kong League XI (0-1) and the Wellington Phoenix (won 2-1).

The draw kept the Navy Blues unbeaten run in domestic and Oceania football to an impressive 40 matches (33 wins and seven draws) but Tribulietx wasn't too fussed with records.

"The Southern United game wasn't about the result, it was about giving players who haven't had much opportunity for game time to get a run and for players like Te Atawhai and Albert to come back into the team.

"Making sure these players get game time before the OFC Champions League begins is important because they haven't had much game time this season.

"It was good to give Ruben Parker another 90 minutes and he did well with the ball and performed well overall.

"We spoke about about needing to be patient and we wanted to attack too early and we got done in the transition and they scored from the resulting corner.

"It doesn't matter how many times you speak about being aware of this sort of thing, sometimes teams like Southern United invite you to play a ball inside and then hit you on the counter attack.

"We got things right a good amount of times and created decent chances in both halves. After the equaliser we had very good chances to go on and win the game but somehow we didn't manage to do that.

"This game was about competing well and seeing how players react to getting game time. We played against a very switched on side who were chasing playoff points and we made eight changes from the team that played on Sunday.

"If we had been a bit more patient we might've won the game. They gave us the initiative and wanted to punish us if we made a mistake," he said.

Auckland City FC face Hamilton Wanderers at Kiwitea Street in Sunday's televised match at Kiwitea Street.

The game kicks off at 4.35pm NZST.

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