AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Auckland City FC x NRF open their home campaign at Pulman Arena this weekend with back-to-back encounters against the Waikato Rapids.
29 January 2026
After two contrasting away performances, the Futsal Navy Blues sit fourth on the ladder and now face a Waikato Rapids side still searching for their first points of the revamped Ford Futsal SuperLeague campaign.
Round 1 delivered a harsh welcome to the new season as City fell 3–0 to the Canterbury United Dragons in Christchurch. An early set‑piece goal put the Dragons in control, and despite creating chances, a wasteful City couldn’t find a way back. A late power‑play push only opened the door for two counter‑attacking strikes, sealing a statement win for a Dragons side already flashing title intent.
But the reaction in Round 2 was exactly what head coach Nic Downes and his players would have wanted. The Futsal Navy Blues delivered a composed, clinical 6–3 win over Hawkes Bay Futsal on the road, showcasing both attacking depth and leadership.
Skipper Stephen Ashby‑Peckham set the tone with a captain’s brace while Dominic Hawkins, Denny Twigg, Dylan Manickum and James Marshall all added their names to the scoresheet. It was the kind of authoritative performance that steadies a season and signals intent.
The Rapids arrive in Auckland with only one match under their belt after a Round 1 bye. Their Round 2 outing was a thriller that ended in a narrow 7–6 loss to Capital Futsal that showed they can score freely but are still ironing out defensive cohesion.
They sit fifth on the table, but with a game in hand and enough firepower to trouble anyone.
Meanwhile Auckland City FC x NRF are in a healthy early position, within striking distance of the top two and with momentum behind them.
This weekend’s back‑to‑back clashes offer a rare chance to shape the narrative of the season in just 24 hours. Auckland City FC x NRF will look to build on their Round 2 attacking fluency, tighten defensive rotations, and impose their tempo on a Rapids side that thrives in chaotic, high‑scoring contests.
Two positive results would not only consolidate a top‑four position but also apply real pressure on the unbeaten early leaders.
Current standings (after Round 2)
| Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury United Dragons | 2 | +4 | 6 |
| Capital Futsal | 2 | +2 | 6 |
| BoP Surge | 2 | +3 | 3 |
| Auckland City FC | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Waikato Rapids | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| Palmerston North Marist Football Club | 1 | -4 | 0 |
| Hawkes Bay Futsal | 2 | -4 | 0 |
2026 FORD Futsal SuperLeague
Round 3
Auckland City FC x NRF v Waikato Rapids
Saturday 31 January
KO: 3:00pm
Court 1, Pulman Arena, Takanini
Round 4
Waikato Rapids v Auckland City FC x NRF
Sunday 1 February
KO: 10:00am
Court 1, Pulman Arena, Takanini
AC SQUAD: Adam PAULSEN, Alexander ROBERTS, Andres MAGLIOLA, Art TWIGG, Ashton HARBIN, Denny TWIGG, Dominic HAWKINS, Dylan MANICKUM, Emilio GHOSH-NOVERO, Finn AMBRIDGE, HaydenCOOPER, Hugo COPLEY, James MARSHALL, Joshua DA COSTA, Kern PLATTS-MILLS, Kyaw MYA, Mario RAMOS, Mike ANTAMANOV, Oban HAWKINS, Peter RAGON, Sam FAGAN, Sam TWIGG, Stephen ASHBY-PECKHAM
HEAD COACH: Nic DOWNES
ASSISTANT COACH: Sam COYLE
GOALKEEPER COACH: Elias BILLEH
PHYSIOTHERAPIST: Emily LO
TEAM MANAGER: Jason WIN
