AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC return to National League action this Sunday, kicking off their title defence with a blockbuster clash against Birkenhead AFC at Shepherds Park. It’s a rematch of last year’s dramatic final, where the Navy Blues edged Birkenhead 2-1 to lift the trophy.
3 October 2025
After a whirlwind season that’s taken them across the globe, from the OFC Champions League in the Solomon Islands to the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA, and most recently the Intercontinental Cup qualifier in Egypt, City are back on home soil, refreshed and refocused.
🗣️ “We’ve had a good week off since coming back from Egypt,” said captain Mario Ilich. “We’ve been hard at training and we’re ready to go. It’s so important to get off to a good start. Every point matters.”
Sunday’s showdown will be a clash between two of the Northern League’s fiercest competitors.
Birkenhead opened their National League campaign with a gritty 2-1 win over Coastal Spirit, while Auckland City had a first-round bye. The two sides know each other well, having split their Northern League meetings this season: Birkenhead won 2-1 in Round 5, City returned the favour with a 2-1 win in Round 18.
Both teams qualified for the National League after finishing in the Northern League’s top four. Birkenhead secured second place with 41 points, while Auckland City scraped into fourth with 40, just one point separating them in a thrilling regional phase.
🗣️ “Birkenhead are aggressive and have a lot of attacking threats,” Ilich added. “We know what it’s like playing against them. We’ll need to be sharp and put our best foot forward.”
Right-back Regont Murati echoed the captain’s confidence: “We’ve been training for two weeks now. We’ve got a full squad and we’re buzzing. Coming off the Club World Cup, we’re still fresh and healthy. We want to win the National League.”
With only ten regular rounds in the National League, every match is a must-win. Auckland City know they can’t afford a slow start.
🗣️ “Every game is important,” Murati said. “Every point means a lot. We’re super excited to start the season and we’re just trying to win it.”
History, pride, and early momentum on the line, this clash promises intensity from the first whistle. Auckland City may be battle-hardened, but Birkenhead are hungry, and Shepherds Park will be rocking. Let the title defence begin.
If you can’t make it to the North Shore on Sunday watch it live and free on FIFA+
Match Details
Dettol National League R2
Sunday, 5 October
Shepherds Park
Birkenhead AFC vs. Auckland City FC
Kick-off: 4:00pm
AC SQUAD: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK) 2. Mario ILICH (C) 3. Adam MITCHELL 4. Christian GRAY 5. Nikko BOXALL, 6. Jackson MANUEL 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. Sebastian CIGANDA (GK) 19. Dylan CONNOLLY, 20. Matt ELLIS, 21. Adam BELL 22. Tong ZHOU 23. Alfie ROGERS, 24. Nathan GARROW (GK) 25. Michael DEN HEIJER, 26. David YOO, 27. Haris ZEB, 28 Paris DOMFEH, 29. Riley DALZIELL, 30. Orlando THORPE
HEAD COACH : Paul POSA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Adria CASALS
GOALKEEPER COACH: Jonas HOFFMANN
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON
