Season‑Defining Clash at the Capital

With just four rounds remaining, the stakes could not be higher for both sides.

The Navy Blues enter the clash buoyed by a convincing 4-2 victory over Auckland United last weekend. Striker Myer Bevan was pleased with the team’s performance, noting that United’s goals came only from penalties.

“We attacked very well and defended strongly. It was a good time for a game like that to come, and now hopefully we can progress on to Miramar and do the same thing,” Bevan said.

The win lifted Auckland City to third place on 11 points, keeping them firmly in contention for a top-two finish and a grand final berth.

Miramar Rangers are also riding high after a 3-1 win over Coastal Spirit last weekend. They sit just one point behind Auckland City in fourth place on 10 points, making Saturday’s clash a true six-pointer.

Bevan acknowledged the challenge ahead:

“Miramar are a good team. They’ve had a strong season, and this is a big game for both clubs. We’ve been preparing all week, the boys have been sharp in training, and we’re ready for the challenge.”

With the grand final race finely poised, this Round 8 fixture is more than just another match, it’s a season-defining showdown and  fans can anticipate a high-intensity contest: Auckland City will look to unleash their attacking firepower, spearheaded by Bevan while Miramar will aim to make home advantage count and leapfrog their rivals in the standings.

Auckland City arrive in form and full of belief, but Miramar Rangers will be equally determined to protect their turf and keep their own title hopes alive.

De Vries on the Verge of History

While the team chase points, striker Ryan de Vries is chasing history. Last weekend against Auckland United, he marked a special moment in style: coming off the bench for his 242nd appearance, equalling club legend Emiliano Tade’s record.

De Vries capped the occasion with a trademark finish, latching onto a Zeb through-ball and scoring a crucial goal, a strike reminiscent of Tade himself.

If “Ryza” takes the field in Wellington on Saturday, he will set a new all-time club record with 243 appearances for Auckland City FC, cementing his place in Navy Blues history.

Head-to-Head History

This will be the third meeting between the two clubs:

• 2022: Auckland City edged a 2-1 win at Kiwitea Street.
• 2021: Miramar triumphed 2-0 in the Chatham Cup at David Farrington Park.

With honours even across past encounters, Saturday’s clash promises to be another tight battle.

The Bigger Picture

• Western Springs lead the table on 16 points but have played one match more and sit out this weekend with a bye.
• Wellington Olympic (15 points) face Auckland FC Reserves.
• A win for either Auckland City or Miramar would close the gap and keep the pressure firmly on the leaders.

Bevan stressed the importance of maintaining momentum:

“We’ve got four finals coming up. It starts with Miramar on Saturday. We need three points from every game if we want to finish at the top. The boys are ready and excited.”

If you can’t make it to the NZ capital, watch the match live and free  courtesy of FIFA+

Match Details
Dettol National League R8
Saturday, 15November
David Farrington Park, Wellington
Miramar Rangers AFC vs. Auckland City FC
Kick-off: 3:00pm

AC SQUAD: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK) 2. Mario ILICH (C) 3. Adam MITCHELL 4. Christian GRAY 5. Nikko BOXALL, 6. Orlando THORPE, 7. Myer BEVAN 8. Gerard GARRIGA 9. Angus KILKOLLY 10. Dylan MANICKUM 11. Ryan DE VRIES 12. Regont MURATI 13. Nathan LOBO 14. Jordan VALE, 15. Jeremy FOO, 16. Joe LEE 17. Jerson LAGOS 18. Seb CIGANDA (GK) 19. Dylan CONNOLLY, 20. Matt ELLIS 21. Adam BELL 22. Tong ZHOU 23. Riley DALZIELL, 24. Nathan GARROW (GK) 25. Michael DEN HEIJER, 26. David YOO, 27. Haris ZEB, 28 Paris DOMFEH

HEAD COACH : Paul POSA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Adria CASALS
GOALKEEPER COACH: Jonas HOFFMANN
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON