City and Springs set to lock horns in key encounter
Words: ACFC Media
Friday 19 July 2024
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Just days after their thrilling midweek top-of-the-table clash against Birkenhead United, Northern League leaders Auckland City (35 points) will face off against third-placed Western Springs (31 points) in another crucial clash at Seddon Fields.
On Wednesday night the Navy Blues had to dig deep to come from two goals down at the break to grab a share of the points courtesy of a 2-2 draw.
Facing a tight turnaround, head coach Albert Riera put the emphasis on managing his players’ fitness and readiness between the two matches.
“The good thing is that today (Wednesday night), let's say, we brought in, you know, four or five players and they've changed the game and they just played 30, 35 minutes.
“So that's fantastic. It was the idea, the reason behind these changes. So we'll try to, you know, have a look at how the players are feeling tomorrow after this battle, explained Riera after the match against Birkenhead.
And the City coach is well aware of how much threat Western Springs will pose on Saturday.
'I expect another tough battle, tactically a bit different. But again, what I know is going to, you know, again, that will demand 100 or 150 percent of ourselves. So we have to make sure we're ready for it,” he said
The last encounter between these sides took place in Round 7 of the competition on April 27 with the Navy Blues narrowly winning 2-1 thanks to late strike by Ryan De Vries.
Navy Blues legend Emiliano Tade, who made 242 appearances for Auckland City before signing for Springs at the end of 2023, has been in fantastic form for Springs to be a joint leader for the Northern League Golden Boot race with 14 goals.
The Argentine striker could hold the key to his side’s success come Saturday.
This will be the ninth meeting between the two clubs with Auckland City winning eight of those encounters. The Navy Blues’ only defeat came in last year’s R4 Chatham Cup clash which finished 3–2 at Seddon Fields.
You can watch Saturday’s match Live and Free on FIFA+ HERE
Ends
RECENT FORM - WESTERN SPRINGS AFC
NORTHERN LEAGUE RD 15
Saturday, July 13
Auckland United United 1-2 Western Springs
CHATHAM CUP R4
Saturday, July 6
Western Springs 3-3 AET (PEN 8-9) Birkenhead United
NORTHERN LEAGUE RD 14
Fridday, June 28
Bay Olympic 2-0 Western Springs
NORTHERN LEAGUE RD 13
Saturday, June 22
Western Springs 4–2 Manurewa
CHATHAM CUP R3
Saturday, June 15
Western Springs 3-2 Eastern Suburbs
NORTHERN LEAGUE RD 12
Friday, June 7
Birkenhead United 4-1Western Springs
MATCH DETAILS
Northern League R16
Saturday, 20 July 2024
Western Springs AFC vAuckland City FC
Seddon Fields
Kick-off:5:30pm
AC SQUAD: 1-Conor TRACEY (GK), 2- Mario ILICH (c) 3- Adam MITCHELL, 4-Christian GRAY, 5. Marco LORENZ, 6- Kailan GOULD, 8-Gerard GARRIGA. 9-Angus KILKOLLY, 10-Dylan MANICKUM, 11-Ryan DE VRIES, 12- Regont MURATI, 13-Nathan LOBO, 15. Luka VICELICH, 16-Joe LEE, 17. Jerson LAGOS, 18 - Areya PRASAD (GK), 19-Liam GILLION, 20- Derek TIEKU, 21- Adam BELL, 22-Tong ZHO, 23- Alfie ROGERS, 24-Joe WALLIS (GK), 25- Michael DEN HEIJER, 26-Rayan TAYEB, 27-Stipe UKICH.
COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
TECHNICAL: Adria CASALS
LOGISTICS: Keith COTON
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
CHATHAM CUP FINAL
Sat 7 Sep 2024, Wellington Olympic, North Harbour Stadium, 7pm
Player Profiles
Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 22 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 53 | 21 | 51 |
| 2 |  | WS | 22 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 52 | 30 | 46 |
| 3 |  | ES | 22 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 38 | 20 | 44 |
| 4 |  | BU | 22 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 54 | 31 | 43 |
| 5 |  | AU | 22 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 39 | 27 | 40 |
| 6 |  | BO | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 39 | 42 | 28 |
| 7 |  | TC | 22 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 38 | 56 | 25 |
| 8 |  | WR | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 28 | 45 | 23 |
| 9 |  | EB | 22 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 29 | 38 | 22 |
| 10 |  | MN | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 41 | 56 | 19 |
| 11 |  | MU | 22 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 29 | 54 | 18 |
| 12 |  | HW | 22 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 28 | 48 | 14 |
Friends of Football
