HONIARA, Solomon Islands - Auckland City FC kicked off their OFC Men's Champions League campaign in style with a resilient 1-0 victory over AS Pirae in Honiara, in a match filled with personal milestones and standout performances.
31 March 2025
Young goalkeeper Nathan Garrow made an unforgettable first appearance in OFC competition, delivering a crucial penalty save in the 70th minute to secure the win for the defending champions. His poise and quick reflexes under pressure were instrumental in maintaining the team’s lead. Post-match, coach Paul Posa praised Garrow, calling his performance "fantastic."
Another Oceania debutant, Jerson Lagos, shone brightly in his first outing in the islands. Operating with confidence and flair, Lagos constantly troubled AS Pirae’s defence with his pace and creativity. His impactful contribution earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
The match also marked a significant milestone for left-back Nathan Lobo, who celebrated his 100th appearance for the club. Lobo capped off the occasion with a win and a clean sheet, underlining his dedication and consistency.
Auckland City head coach Paul Posa reflected on the tough encounter, acknowledging the difficulty of opening matches in any tournament. Speaking candidly after the win, he emphasised the importance of the team’s resilience, saying, "It was the performance and result we wanted. Perfect start, really. It’s never easy, but the boys executed our plans well."
He also highlighted the contributions of the new players: "Debuts don’t come much better than Nathan’s in goal and Jerson’s outfield performance. It was a tricky game, but we’re thrilled to come away with three points. This gives us a good position for the rest of the pool, though two tough games still remain."
In a rematch of last year’s final, the first half saw Auckland dominating possession, with Dylan Manickum breaking the deadlock five minutes before halftime. A poised build-up play culminated in Manickum finishing a loose ball in the six-yard box, giving the Navy Blues the lead.
The second half was marked by Garrow’s crucial penalty save, stellar contributions from substitutes like Haris Zeb and Gerard Garriga, and a strong defensive performance that held off AS Pirae's attempts for an equaliser.
Auckland City FC’s march toward their 13th title continues, backed by their “always confident, never complacent” mindset. Up next, another challenging fixture awaits, but with young stars stepping up and milestones being celebrated, the defending champions look ready to embrace the challenge.
Match Result
OFC Champions League 2025
Sunday 30 March
Auckland City FC : 1 (Dylan MANICKUM 41’)
AS Pirae: 0
HT: 1-0
AC: 24. Nathan GARROW GK, 3. Adam MITCHELL (C), 6. Nikko BOXALL, 7. Myer BEVAN, 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 13. Nathan LOBO, 17. Jerson LAGOS, 22. Tong ZHOU, (14 Jordan VALE 90+7), 25. Michael DEN HEIJER, (8. Gerard GARRIGA 70'), 26 David YOO (27. Haris ZEB 70, ) 30. Adam BELL (19. Dylan CONNOLLY 70')
SUBS NOT USED: 4. Christian GRAY, 20. Matt ELLIS, 28. Otto INGHAM,
HEAD COACH: Paul POSA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Adria CASALS
GK COACH: Jonas HOFFMANN
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON
PHYSIOTHERAPIST: Matt PAYNE
PHYSIOTHERAPIST: Zara ELLIS
