Ryza Inspires City’s Crucial Win

City made the ideal start when Pavel Osmančík, continuing to settle confidently into the squad, won a penalty inside nine minutes and converted it himself. The Czech forward sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and gave the Navy Blues early control.

Auckland City’s attacking fluency quickly intensified. Regont Murati, outstanding throughout the evening, delivered a series of precise crosses that repeatedly opened Bay Olympic’s defence. His first found Ryan De Vries, who finished calmly to double the lead. Two minutes later, Murati again supplied De Vries, who scored from close range to make it 3–0.

Bay Olympic responded through Patrick Izett’s long‑range strike, but City restored their advantage before the break. Murati’s delivery once more proved decisive, providing a pinpoint cross that De Vries headed home to complete a first‑half hat‑trick.

The second half began in similar fashion. Murati produced another accurate cross from the right, and De Vries added his fourth goal of the night with a clinical finish. It was a performance that showcased both his experience and his importance to the squad.

There were further positives for Auckland City. Alfie Rogers returned to the starting eleven after a long injury layoff, while Mike Den Heijer made his comeback from the broken cheekbone sustained during his Auckland FC Pro League campaign. Both contributed valuable minutes in a demanding period of fixtures.

Ryan De Vries reaction

“The boys played well. We took our chances. Regi was incredible today — I got most of my assists from him.”

“I picked up an injury a couple of weeks ago, so to come back tonight in a very important game for us and get a first‑half hat‑trick is good.”

“Besides my hat‑trick, the boys put in a good shift. We worked hard this week and we got the three points.”

“Of course I’m up for Saturday. We’ve got to tick these ones off one by one. Focus on the league first before going off to the O‑League. We start tomorrow with training and prepare well.”

Head coach Rudy Mozr reaction

“Very important points for us. We had good moments and moments where we could have done better, but in this schedule, to get the three points and score five goals is very good.”

“Having Mikey back is great. He suffered injury in the Pro League, so we couldn’t use him recently. Alfie too, since the second round. It is good to get these boys minutes. Ryza has been off for a couple of weeks and scored some goals, and Reggie was fantastic on that side, creating chances and assists.”

“It was a good team performance. First half especially. Second half we lost the rhythm a little bit, but overall it has been a good night.”

“It is a busy schedule. Players like games more than training, but it makes managing the squad harder. Saturday is a big game for us. We want points before we head off to Fiji for the OFC Champions League. The table is tight, goal difference matters, so 5–1 is good for us.”

Auckland City now turn their attention to their final domestic fixture before departing for Fiji. Saturday night brings a return to Riverhills Park and a meeting with Fencibles, offering the Navy Blues an immediate opportunity to respond to last weekend’s dramatic Chatham Cup exit and close out their Northern League duties with purpose.

Ends

Northern League
Wednesday,  29  July
Croatian Club

Auckland City FC: 5 (Pavel OSMANčIK 10′ (Pen), Ryan De VRIES 14′ 17′ 44′ 52′)
Bay Olympic FC : 1 (Patrick IZETT 25′)

HT: 4-1

AC: 24. Matt FOORD (GK) 3. Adam MITCHELL (C), 5. Nathan ROSTRON 7. Michal DOUDERA 8. Gerard GARRIGA (17. Ryan WATSON 59′) 11. Ryan DE VRIES (26. Matt ELLIS 59′) 12. Regont MURATI 20. Pavel OSMANčIK 23. Alfie ROGERS (15 Jeremy FOO 76′) 25 Mike Den HEIJER (16. Fergus GILLION 70′) 27. Tom GOLDING

SUBS NOT USED: 18. Ari PRASAD (GK)

HEAD COACH: Rudy MOZR
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Alan SHAKER
GOALKEEPER COACH: Adam BANNISTER
TRAINER: Karlo PAVIC
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON