Auckland City FC - Thanks a Trillion

auckland suffered for sitting too deep in the first half, credit to them for changing tack in the second and increasing the tempo

it was refreshing to see a new zealand team setting itself out properly in terms of formation and approach and seeking to play the ball from the back.  even when they were in defensive mode, they never resorted to the hoof and stayed calm.

andreu, mulligan and vicelich were all outstanding.  was also impressed with most others.  spoonley, fenerides and pritchett were shown up a bit, but you would expect this to happen to some components of the team when coming up against pros.

Have to agree with the comments about Hogg, despite not liking the guy at all, I thought he was brilliant last night. He has got to be playing at a higher level soon, has great pace and the arogance to skip round his man when he saw fit.

cant believe we fully agree with each other Jeff.

Will be interesting to see if the Spanish contingent stay on for the rest of the season.

Id like the coach to go if im honest, i prefer the old football City use to play.

Cheers,

Under Allan Jones?

I would expect that Berlanga and Exposito would stay... Reira and Andreu I doubt. Save the wage bill for next year.

Agree. Also thought Mulligan was class second half, just needed it for 90mins from him.

Hard News...certainly not Alan Jones Wimbledon hump it long. I was referring to Paul Posa and Arron McFarland tactics of crisp passing but looking to go forward more often than not.

Tribultext or however you spell his name talks about this keep the ball crap and looks nice n pretty, mate i could get a bunch of kids that could keep the ball off some sides in the ASB, especially off manawatu. I like Citys style of two years ago and they were exciting and successful in world club champs 2009.

My thoughts only.

Fixed Jeff Vader2011-12-09 16:04:22

I like to think i have more idea than Declan Edge, especially after reading his quotes in the herald today....hes on another planet.

Just watched parts of the city game again. I dont think Pritchett defended that badly as some of you are saying.

Still think City did NZ proud...well done!

What world rating for ACFC was quoted earlier in the thread. * best team in the world? Hogster2011-12-09 17:08:24

For me it was pretty disappointing game from Auckland City. What's happened to short passing game that Ramon is talking about for the last two years?
In the first half, with Japanese pressing high up the field ACFC could not put three passes together. Having Feneridis to play right midfield position was a bad decision (by the way he is A league level  player, not because he is so good but because, there are so many other similar players or even worse).
Why all of the 5 Spanish guys had to be  in the starting line up? Just because the coach is Spanish as well? The only one who played well was Berlunga. Riera and Andreu were both average. Exposito? Didn't see much of him, more showing off then playing.
This lineup indicated that the game plan was not to concede, rather then score. Thus, so many holding midfielders. The only reason why ACFC played better in second half was because Kashiwa was happy with the score and, having in mind the next game, they smartly let Auckland to push forward and played on contra attacks.  That explains why Mulligan looked awful in the first half and a bit better in the second.
Shame because City had the team to do it...

i think a bit of a reality check is needed here, they were playing the j-league champions, you guys are used to seeing ACFC dominate local opposition

performance cannot be judged equally between the two standards that they have been asked to compete inreg222011-12-09 18:48:03

watch the first goal again, he races forward to stand alongside his centre back, leaving the right passage open

otherwise he was tidy enough and had an excellent work rate reg222011-12-09 18:48:39

R22 No need for a reality check. I am aware they played J league champions. If they played with more offensive lineup from the first minute of the game and they lost 4:0, I would be more happy. To defend nil all result and have not one decent shot on goal in 45 minutes...

yeah i agree with that point mate, 4-1-4-1 wasn't too inspiring

In perpective, Kashiwa have now beaten Monterrey (Mexican champions).  Santos (Brazilain champs) next.

Yeah but Monterry were the better side for most of it.

Emi still potting goals. I bet most city fans wouldn't have picked him to be their leading goal scorer at xmas.

I generally watch TW play when I am in Welly (mostly) or, when I am working from Auckland (as I was this week, either City or Waitak - so it was with some fascination I went in the wet to Kiwitea St to watch these young Otago boys my Dunedin mates had told me about. And what a nice side they are. Granted City looked tired from their World Club Championship endeavours and so many of their good players struggled a bit today � but it was due in large part to the intensity, skill and will of the Southern men in my humble opinion. Otago could have won, should have drawn, and might have lost 3-2 if the Football Gods had smiled their way � they did not. So it was 3-0 to their bad with two late goals (after 90 minutes) for City. I have say Evans is a very good keeper, Connor (particularly) and Ferguson are good full backs � Connor kept Hogg quiet and even made a monkey of him a few times. Prattley and the young centre back Lockhart were organised at the back and only stressed as they tired very late. If (from what I read on this forum) the missing Matt Joy is the heart of the Otago defence then Prattley is the brains, Connor is the balls and Ferguson is the guts. Young Lockart is one to watch (as is Stevens who came on late as a sub). In midfield Day has some engine, Cunningham is�well very cunning and has great vision � as good as anything City have. Rodeka was also clever � so many times the Otago midfield made a mockery of City with their intuition and movement. Out wide Coldicott looked like a brooding beast; when he got the ball he was pacey and direct � it�s a pity he wasn�t more involved. Up front Overton was dynamic and skilful � I read here he is leaving and he will be a big loss . But my favourite was Hancock. He is a midget, but somehow he made a mess of Vicelich in the air; his tricks and flicks were sublime and he laid on several chances that should have been converted. Coach Murray should be congratulated. The skill and style of play of the Otago players was heart-warming. It was an open and entertaining game with little malice. I enjoyed myself greatly even in the Auckland summer drizzle. At the end the City supporters sang, �Can we play you every week?� What nobs, I thought - crass idiots and so insulting to their brilliant visitors. But on reflection, perhaps it was a compliment. They wish they had a side with the skill and guts and guile of Otago to play against each week � to better themselves. Otago made the World Club Championship team look mortal, nay even (at times) feeble and limp.Toffeeman662011-12-18 21:01:09

Toffeeman66...surely you have just made up that post...if thats your summary you cant have been at Kiwitea St today!! That is one piss take post!! In your dream do Otago win by 7 or 8?

Is that what I said? Otago should have won by 7 or 8? I am a neutral what are you?

no its not what you said! However in your fiction story above you fail to mention a scoreline at the end? but im guessing Otago win it comfortably? 

I think you'll find he did mention the scoreline, Greyhound - see line 7. And Toffeeman does make some valid and accurate observations. (Not often you see a Liverpool fan sticking up for an Evertonian, but it is close to Christmas!!)

Thanks Wack! Greyhound I'm sorry I appear to have touched a nerve. Auckland were good for their win and clearly superior when and where it mattered. I was not writing to put a good Auckland side down, but to praise the Otago lads. I like the look of the table this year as we near the half way stage. One team clearly ahead of the pack, and four others that will be fighting hard for the other OCL spot. Otago should be there or thereabouts at the seasons climax.

Yeah i watched this game and I think for about 3/4's of the game, Otago were good for a point. Coaches talk about how class teams find ways to win even when they are playing poorly. I'm not saying ACFC played poorly but they were not accustomed to having carte a blanche in this one like they normally do. Otago put on some good pressure and forced ACFC back a lot and while loathe to pay out the players since they have been jetsetting, a couple were noticably below par. Otago could have pinched a goal had they shot rather than passed but the end result is an Auckland win and I think while 1-0 would have been fairer, they did what they had to to win the game.

This years Otago team look a lot better than previous incarnations and I think Richard Murray should take a bow for that because they did play good football in parts and at times stretched ACFC. It was odd to hear an Otago coach shouting football instructions or words of praise as opposed to the former coaches that ran that ship.

Highlight's from yesterday's match v Otago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5xfmA3mSoI&feature=youtu.be

Indeed, Otago impressed, enough for the Ak fans to stand up and give them a cheer during their warm down.  Prattley was class. But at the other end, Carmichael was great with his first touch.  In fact, I noticed a lot of one touch footie from AkCity.  Tade, Milne, Luis and Danko impressed.

Professional club Dinamo Tblisi have snapped up Auckland City football midfielder Andreu Guerao during the Fifa January transfer window.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/6236217/Auckland-City-footballer-snapped-up-by-pro-club

Pokie money run out?  Jeff Vader2012-01-10 15:40:06

Isn't every one of the Auckland players hoping for this exact thing to happen after some exposure at the CWC?

Personally I don't think he played well at CWC, and I doubt very much that he was noticed there playing for ACFC.
 Based on Wikipedia he played 12 games for Barcelona B (2003-2005), 33 games for Malaga B (2005-2006), 41 games for Sporting Gijon (2006-2010) and 34 games for Polonia Warsaw (2010-2011).
In addition to a very good CV, he obviously has a very good agent who knows his job...

Doubt that he was noticed there playing for ACFC???  What planet you from??! He signed for Auckland City to get exposure at this tournament. Despite his not bad looking CV you cant tell me their arent important people ie. scouts at a world tournament unless they slept through it with their eyes shut and didnt take 'notice' of games or players.

Auckland City helped him make this move. However he was always going to move on after this tournament despite if he got a contract or not. He saw Auckland City as providing him with an opportunity to put himself back in the shop window.

Mate, we can have different views, but because you are so determined, I strongly suggest you  watch the game again, then come back  and tell me who would sign him based on that particular performance.  In addition, I watched him several times and can tell you that guy is average player (technically not bad, but way to slow). That's why after playing in La Liga, he went to Polonia and ended up being completely out of contract.

Finally, I would be very glad that all ACFC players have signed professional contracts based on the performance at the CWC, which unfortunately isn't the case... Just remember, the last time when ACFC was at CWC, they  won two out of three games that they  played, and how many players were signed?

P.S. To answer your second question, I am from Jupiter...

He was outstanding in the first half and did ok in the 2nd. His agent would have been proactive in telling clubs to watch him play for acfc in this tournament. You really got to know how it works. Many auckland city players would not have agents to create a profile for them.

Heard a rumour Ivan is off as well.  Anyone else heard anything?

Without being disrespectful to Ivan and his career, I wouldn't think it would be anywhere big considering he turns 36 this year. One last pay day?

This