Dockerty grateful for Zubikarai advice

Words: ACFC Media

Tuesday 1 June 2021

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - The influence of former Real Sociedad stopper Enaut Zubikarai has kept Auckland City FC U-23 goalkeeper Finn Dockerty focused on improvement.

Dockerty was an integral figure in Auckland City FC U-23's come-from-behind derby win over Auckland United FC in the Lotto NRFL U-23 Premier Division last weekend pulling off crucial saves in each half as well as putting his body on the line.

The youngster has shared glove time with another up-and-comer in Anthony Moodie and Dockerty says working with Zubikarai, Cam Brown and Conor Tracey has been vital to his game this season.

"Enaut is an awesome mentor. Some of the top level football he's played in Spain and Europe is amazing and I'm just very lucky to have a person like him give me advice and coach me.

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— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) May 30, 2021

"He's a great teacher to learn off and anytime he speaks to me about the game I'm just grateful to take it all on board.

"I'm training with Cam and Conor twice a week and its good to learn from them because they're a great influence on me to strive to be the best I can be.

"They've both played for the first team and New Zealand U-23s and they're awesome role models to look up to," he said.

As for last week's nail-biting win over Auckland United FC, Dockerty was in top form making several crucial saves in the first half and watched another effort hit his crossbar.

In the dying stages of the game, with the scores tied at 2-2, Dockerty threw his body on the line to make sure there were no hard luck stories for the U-23s.

"Putting your body on the line can be a bit scary at times but you have to give it everything for the team.

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— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) May 30, 2021

"The rest of the team do the same in their roles so when the time comes I give it a 110 percent to make sure we have a good chance of winning," he said.

Dockerty admits the U-23 Navy Blues were far from happy with their sloppy first half performance but had a firm belief they could come back.

"We had to come out with a good attitude and a strong desire to win and I tried to do my best to put the team in the best position we could to get the three points.

"The second goal we conceded was a setback but I thought we were the better team in the first half even though we were 2-0 down.

"The two goals we conceded came from our own mistakes and I knew if we fought well we could get the right result," he said.

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