Statement Return to Riverhills

Where frustration defined last Saturday, tonight was all control, clarity and conviction — a performance that restored standards and underlined the Navy Blues’ push toward National League qualification.

A moment of brilliance sets the tone

City settled immediately, dictating tempo and territory, and their dominance was rewarded with a moment of pure audacity in the 17th minute.

Gerard Garriga met a Regont Murati cross with a stunning backheel flick, guiding the ball past the goalkeeper in a finish that felt as outrageous as it was instinctive. It was a goal that lifted the entire side — a flash of quality that matched City’s grip on the match, even if the lead remained slender at the break.

Dream start to the second half

Any nerves evaporated within three minutes of the restart. A sharp move through midfield saw Ryan Watson slip a clever pass into Matt Ellis, who finished confidently to double the advantage and give City full control of the contest.

From that moment, Auckland City played with authority: patient in possession, aggressive in transition, and relentless in their pressure.

Den Heijer seals it with style

The third arrived in the 63rd minute and was every bit as emphatic. Michael Den Heijer, stepping forward from defence, unleashed a superb strike to make it 3–0 and put the result beyond doubt.

City continued to create chances — Tom Golding and Ryan De Vries both went close to extending the margin — while at the other end Matt Foord produced two excellent late saves to preserve a deserved clean sheet.

A statement response

A 3–0 victory at Riverhills Park sees City claim all three points and avenge last week’s Cup defeat in emphatic fashion. Garriga’s moment of magic set the tone, Ellis added composure, and Den Heijer delivered the final blow in what became an outstanding away performance built on intelligence, intensity and discipline.

The win also arrives at the perfect moment. With the squad set to depart for Fiji next week, confidence is high ahead of the Navy Blues’ OFC Men’s Champions League title defence.

Rudy Mozr reaction

“We wanted a strong response — and the boys delivered from the first minute.”
“Three great goals, a clean sheet, and full control — that’s how we needed to bounce back.”
“Now we recover, refocus, and get ready for Fiji. The job’s not done yet.”

U23s earlier at Riverhills Park

Earlier in the afternoon, the Auckland City FC U23s played out a high‑tempo, entertaining contest against the U23 Premiership leaders at Riverhills Park. Both sides created a number of promising opportunities, but neither could find the breakthrough as resolute defending and strong goalkeeping kept the match scoreless. The young Navy Blues showed discipline, structure and maturity throughout, earning a well‑deserved point in a tightly contested fixture.

Ends

Northern League
Saturday,  1  August
Riverhills Park

Fencibles United AFC: 0
Auckland City FC: 3 (Gerard GARRIGA 17′ Matt ELLIS 48′ Mike DEN HEIJER 63′)

HT: 0-1

AC: 24. Matt FOORD (GK) 2. Mario ILICH (C) 4. Christian GRAY,  5. Nathan ROSTRON 8. Gerard GARRIGA (11. Ryan DE VRIES 61′) 12. Regont MURATI 17. Ryan WATSON 20. Pavel OSMANčIK (15. Jeremy FOO 75′) 23. Alfie ROGERS (7. Michal DOUDERA 46′) 25. Mike DEN HEIJER 26. Matt ELLIS  (27. Thomas GOLDING 67′) 

SUBS NOT USED: 18. Ari PRASAD (GK)

HEAD COACH: Rudy MOZR
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Alan SHAKER
GOALKEEPER COACH: Adam BANNISTER
TRAINER: Karlo PAVIC