Grand Final Within Reach

With heavy clouds hanging over the ground and rain at times so fierce that the ball was barely visible, this was a derby played in conditions befitting its stakes. Both sides knew only victory would suffice, and both threw themselves into the contest with the intensity of a cup final.

Bevan strikes first, Springs hit back

The Navy Blues began with intent, their passing sharp and movement relentless. Myer Bevan, later named GIGI Player of the Match, opened the scoring with a composed finish that reflected Auckland’s early dominance. Moments later, intricate interplay between Bevan, Ryan De Vries and David Yoo nearly yielded a second, only for desperate Springs defending to intervene.

Captain Mario Ilich then rose to meet a Haris Zeb corner, his header skimming just over the bar. But the momentum was checked abruptly when Regont Murati turned the ball into his own net, gifting Springs parity.

Christian Gray almost restored the lead before half-time, his header cleared off the line, but the Navy Blues went into the break knowing their season hung precariously in the balance.

Zhou delivers, Yoo seals it

The second half was a test of nerve. Zeb rattled the crossbar with a thunderous strike, De Vries sent the rebound over, and frustration threatened to creep in. Then, in the 77th minute, substitute Tong Zhou produced a moment of calm amid the storm, finishing superbly to restore Auckland’s advantage.

As Springs pressed forward in search of an equaliser, tempers flared and spaces opened. Deep into injury time, Yoo broke clear on the counter to slot home the third, sparking jubilant celebrations among the travelling supporters.

“Another final before the final”

For Bevan, the match carried the weight of a season. “What a game. It had a real cup final feel to it, a lot of tension. What a performance by the boys,” he said afterwards. “It was a must-win game for us, but it’s not done yet. We’ve got one more must-win next week and then we give ourselves a chance to be in that final.”

The striker acknowledged the difficult conditions: “With the rain it was sticky, then it stopped, and on the turf it’s always tough for us. But the boys dug deep — especially those who came on — and we got the job done.”

Skipper Ilich echoed the sentiment. “Absolute cup final, like you said, and super proud of the boys’ efforts. The first half was quite even, but in the second we came out and took our chances,” he reflected. “We’ve done nothing yet though. Coastal Spirit is another massive final next week. If we want to make the very final, we’ve got to get three points again.”

One step closer

The victory lifts Auckland City above Springs and keeps their destiny in their own hands. Beat Coastal Spirit at Kiwitea Street next week, and the Navy Blues will contest the Grand Final with their title defence intact.

On a sodden Sunday in Auckland, they showed the resilience of champions. Now, one more hurdle remains.

Ends

Match Result
National League R10
Sunday, 30 November
Seddon Fields

Auckland City FC: 3 (Myer BEVAN 9, Tong ZHOU 77’, David YOO 90+3’)
Western Springs: (Regont MURATI OG 12’)

HT: 1-1

AC:  24. Nathan GARROW GK), 2. Mario ILICH, (CP), 4. Christian GRAY, 5. Nikko BOXALL, (22. Tong ZHOU 65’) 7. Myer BEVAN, 11. Ryan DE VRIES, 12. Regent MURATI (20. Matt ELLIS 65’), 23. Riley DALZIELL, 25. Michael DEN HEIJER, 10. Dylan MANICKUM 71’), 26. David YOO, 27. Haris ZEB

SUBS NOT USED: 18. Areya PRASAD,, 6. Orlando THORPE

HEAD COACH:  Paul POSA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Adria CASALS
GK COACH: Jonas HOFFMANN
PHYSIOTHERAPIST: Matt PAYNE
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON