City, United Set for Derby Showdown

Saturday’s Dominion Road Derby at Kiwitea Street feels exactly like that — a meeting of two sides separated by fine margins, both aware that Round 13 may carry more weight than the calendar suggests.

Auckland City return home with purpose. The last month has restored momentum: four straight wins followed by a hard‑earned point away at Eastern Suburbs, a result that underlined the defensive steel that has carried them through the middle third of the campaign. The wobble of early April has faded; structure and control have returned.

Auckland United arrive with their own edge. Their form line is streaky but dangerous — emphatic wins, sharp attacking spells, and the sense that when they click, they can trouble anyone. The April meeting at Keith Hay Park still lingers in the memory: a tight contest decided by a single lapse, a long ball misjudged, and Luke Flowerdew rolling the ball into an empty net. City dominated the second half but left empty‑handed. It was a moment that stung, and one that sharpened the response that followed.

Rudy Mozr has been clear all week. The derby matters, but the approach does not change. Consistency has been the theme, the demand, and the standard.

“We want to get back to our level,” he said. “Every point is important, and we know we need a good performance to be successful.”

The table adds its own tension. City sit third, United fifth, the gap just two points. With the league’s top four compressing behind the runaway leaders, a single afternoon can shift the picture dramatically. These matches rarely open up early; they tend to tighten, to hinge on territory, tempo, and set‑pieces. One moment can tilt everything.

Kiwitea Street has seen its share of those moments. Saturday may offer another.

Match Details • Northern League R13 • Auckland City FC vs Auckland United FC • Kiwitea Street • 3pm

U23s — Early Kickoff at the Croatian Club

Derby day begins at midday, where the U23s face Auckland United U23 at the Croatian Club. After last weekend’s defeat to Eastern Suburbs, the group is hungry to respond and return to the winner’s circle — a chance to set the tone for the afternoon ahead.

Match Details • Premier U23 • Auckland City U23 vs Auckland United U23 • Croatian Club •12pm

Mt Roskill Fundraiser — Backing the Next Generation

Away from the derby noise, the club’s long‑term work continues. The Roskill Schools Turf Project remains a major focus, a community build designed to give thousands of young people a safe, modern, all‑weather space to play, learn and connect.

The need is real. The fields in the area flood, close, or simply can’t keep up with demand. The project aims to change that — a year‑round facility with lights, safe access, and room for sport and community life to grow.

Every contribution helps move the build closer. Every share widens the reach.

Ends

AC SQUAD: 1. Nathan GARROW (GK) 2. Mario ILICH (C) 3. Adam MITCHELL 4. Nikko BOXALL 5. Nathan ROSTRON 6. Kieran RICHARDS, 7. Michal DOUDERA 8. Gerard GARRIGA 9. Angus KILKOLLY 10. Dylan MANICKUM 11. Ryan DE VRIES 12. Regont MURATI 13. Shaan ANAND 14. Nico ZAMBRANO 15. Jeremy FOO 17. Bono KACUROV 18. Ari PRASAD (GK) 19. Dylan CONNOLLY, 20. Manraj SINGH 21. Adam Kanui BELL 22. Tong ZHOU 23. Alfie ROGERS 24. Seba CIGANDA (GK) 26. Kian SHAHBAZPOUR 27. Tom GOLDING

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