HAMILTON, New Zealand - Auckland City swept into the next round of the Chatham Cup with a ruthless 6–0 dismantling of Claudelands Rovers in Hamilton, a performance defined by early intensity, clinical finishing, and the kind of attitude that shrugs off a 48‑hour turnaround.
1 June 2026
City were three goals up inside 25 minutes, the tie effectively settled before it had time to breathe. Kieran Richards opened the scoring, Manraj Singh doubled the lead with his maiden First Team goal, and Adam Kanui‑Bell added a third as the Navy Blues tore through a stretched Rovers back line.
For Gerard Garriga, it was a milestone afternoon — his 150th appearance for the club — and the Spanish midfielder was quick to underline both the difficulty of the assignment and the importance of starting fast.
“It’s always a tough game coming away to Hamilton,” he said. “We played on Saturday, 48 hours ago, and we knew it would be difficult. But we started with pace, with good intensity, and once the first and second goals went in, we knew it would be an easier game.”
Garriga, reflective as ever, allowed himself a moment to look back on a decade of highlights in Navy Blue.
“I never thought I’d get to 150 for this club. The Oceania Champions Leagues, the Club World Cups, facing Bayern, Benfica, Boca Juniors… the draw against Boca was super special. These memories stay forever. Just playing for this club is a highlight for me.
After the break, City’s dominance continued. Richards grabbed his second before Angus Kilkolly came off the bench to score twice, completing a brace that underlined the depth and sharpness of a rotated squad.
Head coach Rudy Mozr promoted his assistant coach, Alan Shaker, to take charge on the touchline for today’s Cup tie, and Shaker praised both the performance and the resilience shown across a demanding weekend.
“The boys played really, really well. Two games in less than 48 hours is tough, so we had to rotate a lot. Credit to the young boys. Dominant, clean sheet, really happy with it.”
Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Eastern Suburbs in the Northern League had left City with little recovery time, and Shaker acknowledged the physical toll.
“There were a couple of players out there who played two full 90s. Credit to them for turning it around and putting in another performance. Now it’s important we recover and get set for next week.”
City leave Hamilton with six goals, a clean sheet, a milestone celebrated, and momentum restored — a statement win in a competition they know well.
Ends
CHATHAM CUP R2
Monday, 1 June
Galloway Park
Claudelands Rovers: 0
Auckland City FC: 6 (Kieran RICHARDS 17′ 55′ Manraj SINGH 19′ Adam Kanui BELL 21′ Angus KILKOLLY 70′ 81′)
HT: 0-3
AC: 18. Seb CIGANDA 2. Mario ILICH (C) (27. Tom GOLDING 46′) 5. Nathan ROSTRON 6. Kieran RICHARDS (Gerard GARRIGA 65′) 10. Dylan MANICKUM (11. Ryan De VRIES 46′) 13. Shaan ANAND 15. Jeremy FOO 17. Bono KACUROV 20. Manraj SINGH 21. Adam Kanui BELL (9. Angus KILKOLLY 53′) 25. Mason SHAW
SUBS NOT USED: 24. 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
