AUCKLAND, New Zealand -Auckland City FC have tightened their grip on a top-two spot in the Northern League after a well-earned 1-0 victory over cross-town rivals Auckland United in the Dominion Road derby on Saturday afternoon.
24 May 2025
A fiercely contested matchup at Kiwitea Street was ultimately decided by one moment of brilliance, skipper Mario Ilich’s thunderous strike rattling the underside of the crossbar and nestling into the net in the 54th minute.
The Navy Blues controlled possession and territory, weaving together intricate lead-up play that often threatened United’s defensive line. While City looked the likelier of the two to break the deadlock, United remained a menace on the counter, forcing City keeper Conor Tracey into a handful of crucial interventions.
United had the ball in the net early, only for the flag to deny them, while Daniel Atkinson came agonisingly close, curling an effort just wide of Tracey’s left post. At the other end, Jerson Lagos spurned a golden chance before Dylan Manickum forced a spectacular save from United’s Kai McLean, following a determined run and an intelligent layoff from the ever-lively Haris Zeb.
City turned up the heat as the half progressed, whipping in dangerous crosses and pressing United deep into their defensive third. Myer Bevan and Gerard Garriga both found themselves inches away from converting teasing deliveries, but the match remained scoreless at the break.
After halftime, Auckland City intensified their grip on the game, forcing United into desperate last-ditch defending. Bevan tested McLean with a bullet from distance, drawing a sublime diving save. Yet, moments later, the inevitable arrived. Ilich, hovering on the edge of the area, called for the ball from Manickum, took one touch, and unleashed a strike of pure power. It ricocheted off the crossbar and in, sending City fans into celebrations.
United refused to go down without a fight, with McLean producing a world-class stop to deny Manickum as City pressed for a second. At the opposite end, Tracey matched his counterpart with a stunning rdiving save to keep out Dre Vollenhoven’s late effort, ensuring his side walked away with all three points.
Captain Mario Ilich reflected on the hard-fought win, acknowledging the collective effort from his side.
“I’m very, very happy with everyone involved today—even the boys that came off the bench made an impact,” Ilich said.
His match-winning strike was a rare sight.
“Yeah, it’s not like me,” he admitted. “Normally I’m a back-stick hitter or something. I was just yelling at Dylan to lay me off, and thankfully he did. I just passed it into the top corner, thank God.”
Next up, City will face West Coast Rangers at Fred Taylor Park under lights Next Friday night.
Ends
Match Result
Northern League 11
Saturday, 24 May, Kiwitea St
Auckland City FC: 1 (Mario ILICH 54’)
Auckland United : 0
HT: 0-0
AC: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 2. Mario ILICH (C), 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Christian GRAY, 7. Myer BEVAN, 8. Gerard GARRIGA, (21. Matt ELLIS 66’), 10. Dylan MANICKUM, (26. David YOO 66’), 13. Nathan LOBO, 17. Jerson LAGOS, 22. Tong ZHOU, 27. Haris ZEB (11. Ryan DE VRIES 78’)
SUBS NOT USED: 24. Nathan GARROW (GK), 21. Alfie ROGERS
HEAD COACH: Paul POSA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Adria CASALS
GK COACH: Jonas HOFFMANN
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON
PHYSIOTHERAPIST: Matt PAYNE
