AUCKLAND, New Zealand -Auckland City FC were left to rue a litany of missed chances as they were held to a 1–1 draw by a spirited Auckland FC Reserves side in a sun-drenched but ultimately frustrating afternoon at Kiwitea Street.
26 October 2025
Despite dominating possession, territory, and chances from the opening whistle, the Navy Blues needed a late equaliser from Christian Gray to avoid a shock defeat to a youthful and resilient Reserves outfit marshalled superbly by former City goalkeeper Oliver Sail.
The hosts flew out of the blocks, pinning their opponents deep and carving out a string of opportunities. Captain Mario Ilich set the tone early with a rasping left-footed drive that forced a sharp save from Sail, who would go on to deliver a decisive performance against his former club.
Christian Gray, a constant aerial threat, nearly broke the deadlock with a thumping header from a David Yoo corner, only to see his effort whistle past the post. Yoo himself tested Sail from the edge of the box, while Dylan Manickum and Myer Bevan both found themselves thwarted by the keeper’s razor-sharp reflexes. Riley Dalziell and Ilich also saw efforts denied, as City’s siege on the visitors’ goal continued without reward.
Then came the sucker punch.
Moments after the restart, Auckland FC Reserves capitalised on a rare foray forward. A long throw into the box caused chaos, and Dejaun Naidoo pounced on a loose ball to lash home the visitors’ first shot of the match, an efficient, if undeserved, lead.
City responded with urgency. Yoo was again denied by a last-ditch block from Finn McKenley, while Manickum and substitute Jerson Lagos both went close. Ryan De Vries added impetus off the bench, but even he couldn’t find a way past the inspired Sail, who seemed determined to single-handedly preserve the Auckland FC’s lead.
A defensive mix-up between Gray and goalkeeper Nathan Garrow nearly gifted the visitors a second, but Garrow redeemed himself with a crucial save from Aston Burns. As the clock ticked down, Ilich unleashed a stinging drive that Sail parried, but the pressure finally told. In the dying minutes, Gray made amends for his earlier miss, stabbing home from close range to level the scores and rescue a point.
“It’s a bit of a frustrating afternoon,” admitted vice-captain Adam Mitchell post-match. “We dominated the first half, had plenty of chances, but it just wasn’t our day in front of goal. Credit to them, they had one shot and scored. But we showed resilience to come back.”
Mitchell also acknowledged the challenge posed by the the youthful Auckland FC side, who have now held City to two draws and a win in their last three meetings. “They’re a bit of a bogey team for us,” he said. “They’ve got some really talented young players, and Oli [Sail] was outstanding today.”
With the league table tightening and a trip to Christchurch looming, Mitchell was quick to shift focus. “It’s a short competition. One point is better than none. We’ll go back to the drawing board and keep pushing.”
For City, the draw feels like two points dropped. For the their opponent, it’s another feather in the cap of a side that continues to punch above its weight.
Ends
Match Result
National League R5
Sunday, 26 October
Kiwitea St, Sandringham
Auckland City FC: 1 (Christian GRAY 88’)
Auckland FC Reserves: 1 (Dejaun NAIDOO 47’)
HT: 0-0
AC: 24. Nathan GARROW GK), 2. Mario ILICH (CP), 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Christian GRAY, 6. Niko BOXALL, (16 Joe LEE 65’), 7. Myer BEVAN, (11. Ryan DE VRIES 67’), 10. Dylan MANICKUM, (17. Jerson LAGOS 67’), 12.Regont MURATI, 25. Michael DEN HEIJER, 26. David YOO, 30. Riley DALZIELL
SUBS NOT USED: 18. Seb CIGANDA, 15. Jeremy FOO
HEAD COACH: Paul POSA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Adria CASALS
GK COACH: Jonas HOFFMANN
PHYSIOTHERAPIST: Matt PAYNE
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON
