Auckland City FC - Thanks a Trillion

Not so much apparently.  Waitak win 1-0.

Upset to start off the season, good shark.

I made that call having not seen the team sheets. I've been told ACFC fielded an average team. With imports on the side line, you still have to sub out other imports out to play the ones you left out.

They have looked under done preseason so this could be very interesting indeed. TWs will fancy themselves.

Starting XIs were

Auckland: Zubikarai; White, Kim, Dordevic, Rogers; Tavano, Hudson-Wihogni, Riera; Tade, Moreira, De Vries

Waitakere: Strasser; Cain, Nash, Collett, Hogg; Butler, Shaw, Francini; Thelen, Stansfield, Morgan

Berlanga, Bilen, Iwata are all injured for City; while Lea'alafa was away. Lewis the other 'notable' absentee.

Possession probably somewhere in the 80-20 range; City had several chances, and were stopped by Strasser (who looks good), the crossbar, and their own ineptness. Still, Waitakere were well organised, had a few other chances themselves, and deserved the win.

Highlight of the game was Tade handballing when City on attack late on, then having a moan to the Lino, and Hudson-Wihonogi yelling at him that he's a "fudgeing idiot".

so they put some kiwi's in and your still not happyq?  I admit I have questioned ACFC in the past but it is what it is, time to move on. 

fark

They fielded their quota and lost what would normally be a game they would win with comfort. My point was around they have imports for Africa sitting on the sideline that can only play if they drop other imports i.e it's not going to get too much better for them. They have been shaky all pre-season 

Citizenship is the measure; and even if they do, doesn't really change the point.

My reflections:

1. City may have some problems with the make up of their squad - all 5 subs were Kiwis due I think to the max number (8) of imports in their starting line up. Never had anyone to bring on to change the game.

2. Waitak well organised and a completely different proposition to last season. Milicich ?

3. Thought that Waitak might fade as they pressed really hard but they lasted 90 minutes (just).

4. City did everything but score in the second half - how they didn't I'll never know.

5. Reira may be a fading force.

6. Hudson Wihongi may be a contender for biggest whinger of the season ?

7. City got a bit predictable at times. 20 passes and then long diagonal ball by Kim to De Vries. Pretty easy to defend.

8. I recall city being poor at the start of the season 3-4 years ago and then winning everything so I wouldn't be despondent as a city fan . Also now it's an 18 game season there is a bit more leeway for a bad result.

Good afternoons entertainment. I think this league is going to be very even .

This. Or, finally, more than one/a couple of the other clubs have raised their game and we'll have a truly competitive comp.

End of Tim Myers? Not in any SS squad I've seen.

The same could be said of Sam O'Reagan and Alex Feneridis although I have heard a story that Feneridis got a massive ban after the ECB Glenfield game reported on here so that may answer that.

I think its a combination of two factors - Auckland are definately weaker this year for various reasons and yes, other teams have recruited well and have finally worked out how to play auckland - Let their defenders have the ball and then press fast as soon as it goes forward! Sounds easy but very hard work...

Auckland City win 4–0. Two goals from Moreira, one from Tade and one from De Vries.

Video of Moreira's second goal (a penalty):

SUPER JOAO! Moreira makes it 4-0 to the #NavyBlues! pic.twitter.com/dc6hHBZ5Yr

— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) October 23, 2016

well that was a good response. Completely bossed the midfield and looked very sharp so early in the  season. TW looked very sluggish and some players (eg Howieson) did not look match fit. Think the commentators discussed their lack of a pre season so with the squad they have I think you have to reserve judgment until round 5 or so (which is silly given how short the comp is). 

ACFC mixed it up and were a lot more direct. Some of the early cross field passes to De Vries were clever as gave him one on one chances. Credit to Ramon there. 

Pretty appalled at some of the comments from the Auckland players today showing a complete lack of respect. These include "Foul? maybe in women's football" indirectly aimed at the female ref, "do that again and I'll snap your legs", and "fudgeing hurry up then" to the ref when she told the AC players to retake a free kick because she was still writing in her book when they initially took it. Not as bad, but another player said "its just a knock, but I went down to slow the game down" to the physio as he walked off after getting treatment on the pitch. 

From the supposed 'best team in Oceania', I thought this was absolutely pathetic, what sort of example is this setting to the spectators, who I'd assume a lot are players themselves. Whether they like it or not these players are role models, one would hope they started acting like them

They are a professional team  - so u get professional wankers.

no de Vries. was he injured?

For those interested, the club are aware of this and are addressing it.

Great to hear :)

Why don't the FA just get refs just to take control of this. Cards work wonders and players will learn quick enough. There would be bugger all fans against cracking down.

Referees were certainly given an edict to crack down on the language and behaviour last season.  Still plenty of issues this season.  Thought there were a couple of reactions from players to the referee yesterday that were worthy of a yellow.

Thats not an excuse though, it still happens and is obvious. You can't shoot down players from a team you don't like but just dismiss it when its the captain of your club. The league doesn't matter either, professional or not.

and just to be fair there isn't that many people watching at home either.... the SS Premiership I mean.

Oh well.  That makes mysoginist behaviour, abuse of the referee and cynical play fine then if no one is watching...

So the defence for this is 'Dura does it' so we shouldn't call out anyone else?

Please.

Don't you mean Sky Sports Presents The SS Premiership On Pop-Up Channel 62436475645644536363?