AUCKLAND, New Zealand—Top‑of‑the‑table Auckland City x NRF hit the road this Saturday as the Ford Futsal SuperLeague enters a decisive stretch, with the Futsal Navy Blues travelling to Palmerston North to face PN Marist at Central Energy Trust Arena (12:00pm).
12 March 2026
Fresh off a statement 5–1 victory over Canterbury United Dragons, Auckland City arrive in Round 12 with momentum, confidence, and their grip on first place strengthened once again.
The title race is tightening, the margins are shrinking, and every point now carries weight.
Five‑Star Payback Fuels the Run‑In
Last weekend’s clash at Te Pai Park was billed as a season‑defining rematch — and Auckland City delivered.
After a tense first half (1–1), the Navy Blues exploded in the second, overwhelming Canterbury with pace, precision, and relentless pressure to secure a 5–1 win.
Key performances:
- Dylan Manickum — a superb hat‑trick, leading from the front
- Stephen Ashby‑Peckham — the captain rising to the moment
- Adam Paulsen — another crucial contribution in a big game
It was more than a win.
It was revenge for January’s 3–0 defeat, a message to the league, and a reminder of what this squad looks like when the stakes rise.
The Table Tightens
With the updated standings showing Auckland City on 25 points, Capital Futsal close behind on 24, and Canterbury still lurking with games in hand, the race remains razor‑thin.
But Auckland City control their destiny — and last weekend’s performance showed a team embracing that responsibility.
This Weekend: PN Marist vs Auckland City
Next up: a trip to Palmerston North to face PN Marist, who fell 6–4 to BoP Surge last weekend and sit at the bottom of the table.
But nothing is taken for granted at this stage of the season.
Why this match matters:
- Auckland City can maintain or extend their lead at the top
- Capital and Canterbury both play this round — points will shift
- A professional performance keeps the pressure firmly on their rivals
- PN Marist, playing at home, will be desperate to respond after last week’s loss
Auckland City have shown they can dominate, they can grind, and they can respond.
Now they must show they can stay ruthless.
A Team Growing Stronger Each Week
Across the last three matches, Auckland City have:
- Scored 34 goals
- Conceded just 5
- Beaten the league’s toughest opponent convincingly
- Reinforced their depth, with contributions across the squad
The identity is clear:
Fast. Clinical. Relentless. United.
And with the finish line approaching, the Navy Blues look like a side sharpening at exactly the right time.
Round 13 Fixtures
| Date | Time | Venue | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 March 2026 | — | Unallocated | BYE | Capital Futsal |
| 14 March 2026 | 12:00 PM | Central Energy Trust Arena, Court 1 | PN Marist | Auckland City x NRF |
| 14 March 2026 | 1:00 PM | Pulman Arena, Court 1 | Waikato Rapids | Canterbury United Dragons |
| 15 March 2026 | 1:00 PM | Pettigrew Green Arena, Court 1 | Hawkes Bay Futsal | BoP Surge |
AC SQUAD: Adam PAULSEN, Alexander ROBERTS, Andres MAGLIOLA, Art TWIGG, Ashton HARBIN, Denny TWIGG, Dominic HAWKINS, Dylan MANICKUM, Emilio GHOSH-NOVERO, Finn AMBRIDGE, HaydenCOOPER, Hugo COPLEY, James MARSHALL, Joshua DA COSTA, Kern PLATTS-MILLS, Kyaw MYA, Mario RAMOS, Mike ANTAMANOV, Oban HAWKINS, Peter RAGON, Sam FAGAN, Sam TWIGG, Stephen ASHBY-PECKHAM
HEAD COACH: Nic DOWNES
ASSISTANT COACH: Sam COYLE
GOALKEEPER COACH: Elias BILLEH
PHYSIOTHERAPIST: Emily LO
TEAM MANAGER: Jason WIN
