AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC’s first home outing of the new Northern League season ended in frustration as Eastern Suburbs claimed a 1–0 derby win at Kiwitea Street, but elsewhere across the club, the Young Navy Blues delivered a seven‑goal classic and the Futsal Navy Blues booked their place in a national final.
28 March 2026
The Navy Blues’ first home match of the new season never quite settled into their rhythm. A tight, tense derby was settled by a single moment of quality in the 16th minute. A loose second ball dropped to Noah Karunaratne on the edge of the area, and the Suburbs forward drilled a low strike that clipped the inside of the post before crashing into the net.
Rudy Mozr was candid in his assessment. “We kept the ball well but didn’t create enough. We just weren’t enough of a threat today.”
The second half carried all the bite of a derby, but its stop‑start rhythm made it difficult for City to build momentum. “I don’t know how much time the ball was actually in play. Credit to them, they managed what they needed to manage.
City goalkeeper Nathan Garrow kept his side in the contest with two crucial saves, including a superb low, acrobatic stop to deny Noah Billingsley’s header that was arrowing toward the bottom corner.
As the match opened up late on, the Navy Blues pushed hard for an equaliser in a frantic finish, but Suburbs held firm to secure a deserved win.
There were still moments to celebrate. Shaan Anand made his senior debut for the club. Nico Zambarano made his second appearance, twelve years after his first.
Elsewhere across the club, the Young Navy Blues delivered a seven‑goal classic and the Futsal Navy Blues booked their place in a national final.
The Young Navy Blues made it two wins from two, edging Eastern Suburbs U23 in a wild 4–3 showdown at the Croatian Club.
After falling behind early, Zac Leach smashed home a superb equaliser before halftime. Second‑half goals from Bono Kacurov and Carlos Stulich pushed City out to 3–1, only for Suburbs to claw it back to 3–2 and then convert a stoppage‑time penalty to level at 3–3.
But there was still one final twist.
From a late corner, Stulich rose highest and powered home a dramatic header to seal all three points.
Futsal: One step from glory
In Christchurch, the Futsal Navy Blues continued their outstanding season, defeating the Waikato Rapids in the National League semi‑final to book their place in Sunday’s Grand Final.
Unbeaten since January and playing with confidence and control, Auckland City FC x NRF now stand one win away from the national title.
Ends
Match Result
Auckland City FC: 0
Eastern Suburbs AFC: 1 (Noah KARUNARATNE 16′)
HT: 0-1
AC: 1. Nathan GARROW (GK) 3. Adam MITCHELL (c) 5. Nathan ROSTRON 6. Kieran RICHARDS 8. Gerard GARRIGA 9. Angus KILKOLLY 12. Regont MURATI (13. Shaan ANAND 65′) 22. Tong ZHOU (15. Jeremy FOO 72 ′) 21. Adam Kanui BELL 23. Alfie ROGERS 27. Tom GOLDING (Nico ZAMBRANO 72′)
SUBS NOT USED: 18. Ari PRASAD 19. Dylan CONNOLY
HEAD COACH : Rudy MOZR
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Alan SHAKER
GOALKEEPER COACH: Adam BANNISTER
TRAINER: Karlo PAVIC
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON
