AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Auckland City FC survived a fraught first half before producing a clinical second-half display to overcome Coastal Spirit 3–0 at Kiwitea Street on Saturday, booking their place in the 2025 New Zealand National League Grand Final.
6 December 2025
The Navy Blues lived dangerously in the opening 45 minutes, with goalkeeper Nathan Garrow the hero. He pulled off three superb saves to deny Derek Tieku, Max Chretien and Liam Cotter, while Christian Gray twice intervened with last-ditch tackles to keep the score level.
Joe Hoole came close with a rising effort that skimmed the bar, and Tong Zhou tested Adam Braman at the other end after neat work from Myer Bevan, who himself narrowly missed connecting with a wicked David Yoo cross.
After the break, Auckland City seized control. Skipper Mario Ilich broke the deadlock, nodding home at the back post from Yoo’s corner. Gray then doubled the advantage with another header, this time from Zhou’s delivery, before Myer Bevan sealed the result, slotting in when Coastal Spirit failed to clear yet another Zhou corner.
Reflecting afterwards, Ilich admitted the opening half had been a struggle: “They made it very hard for us today… slowing the game down every opportunity and defensively really sound,” he said.
But the captain praised his side’s response after the interval: “Once we came in the second half, I think we had a lot of urgency and really worked for them. We deserved that 3–0 win.”
At the heart of the defence, Nikko Boxall was named GIGI Player of the Match, his composure and leadership ensuring Auckland City kept a clean sheet and laid the platform for victory.
The win sets up a mouthwatering final in Wellington next week, where City will face Wellington Olympic, who edged Miramar 2–1 to secure their own berth. As Ilich put it: “We got it done. That was all that mattered… One more to go.”
Ends
Match Result
National League R11
Saturday, 6 December
Kiwitea St
Auckland City FC: 3 (Mario ILICH 56’,Christian GRAY 77’, Myer BEVAN 84’)
Coastal Spirit: 0
HT: 0-0
AC: 24. Nathan GARROW GK), 2. Mario ILICH, (CP), 4. Christian GRAY, 5. Nikko BOXALL, 7. Myer BEVAN, 11. Ryan DE VRIES, (6. Orlando THORPE 79’), 12. Regont MURATI, (10.Dylan MANICKUM 57), 22.Tong ZHOU, (3. Adam MITCHELL 84’), 23. Riley DALZIELL, 26. David YOO, (20. Matt ELLIS 57’), 27. Haris ZEB
SUBS NOT USED: 18. Seb CIGANDA
HEAD COACH: Paul POSA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Adria CASALS
GK COACH: Jonas HOFFMANN
PHYSIOTHERAPIST: Matt PAYNE
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON
