I think Auckland real challenge will come when they face Perth Glory in Perth and then when they face the 1970 Brazil side.. they are a real title contenders my friends, they’re not mucking around
Didn't think AFC would know how to react to going a goal down, so to see them equalise twice was pretty impressive - City not what they once were, but AFC seems to be able to compete well with everyone they've faced so far so can't really fault them to be honest, they look to be in the mix
Poor as with the changes in the first half and with a young nervous scholarship player replacing their top player.
But showed real character in the second and bossed them physically. Shows they are up to a fight. I mean Christ their second goal should have stood.
Moreno looks class and should be in the starting team.
And looking back at the comments on this thread, anyone who thinks May is not up to this leagues standard for an import seriously needs to look at their football IQ and decide if they should watch another game. The guy has touch, pace and is class.
Probably a good thing Corica signed so many Fullbacks, looks like Sakai is gonna have to play CB for awhile.
Auckland FC coach Steve Corica confirmed Dan Hall missed the Melbourne City game with a broken ankle. No timeframe for his return but it's "a little bit longer" than Cam Howieson (calf, 5 weeks), Louis Versraete (back, 1-2 weeks).
No Dan Hall no Louis Verstratae, away from home in 30 degree heat. Came from behind twice.
How long before they’re given credit on here. They’re actually decent.
Not sure we should have to on our own forums. Not as if they are giving any credit to the Nix for anything. Cant see anything wrong at all with a bit of rivalry since when did rivals start giving each other any credit.
Poor as with the changes in the first half and with a young nervous scholarship player replacing their top player.
But showed real character in the second and bossed them physically. Shows they are up to a fight. I mean Christ their second goal should have stood.
Moreno looks class and should be in the starting team.
And looking back at the comments on this thread, anyone who thinks May is not up to this leagues standard for an import seriously needs to look at their football IQ and decide if they should watch another game. The guy has touch, pace and is class.
If he can get that much kudos for 1/2 a games’ work full credit to him!
just watched the highlights of the match, Paulsen 'megged for the first goal (lol) Young CM is no Verstrate! May is average for an import, one goal does not impress. Gillion is your typical Aleague speedster - he has pace, he has a step, but nothing else - in general his touch is shark and he cant shoot. Pijnaker's back pass to Paulsen (lol) it bobbled but Paulsen should deal with that. Mereno's free kick goal was decent but it's another keeper error
AFC are a decent side but as I've said for weeks now had they been travelling to and from Aus in their early games this result would have come sooner. Say what you will about them being pros there is something about flying between Aus and NZ that adds to the challenge of week in week out footy. The temperature alone is a challenge. Their end of season run is going to be tough and the real proof of their title contender-ship.
I really wanted them to have their first loss but... realistically, a draw is probably for the best. Minimum points for two teams above us on the table.
Plus, yes, we got to see Paulsen nutmegged AND a complete fudge up of an own goal. It's the little things in life...!
True. A draw for two sides above us on the table is a good result. Reality time for AFC. More away games and the injuries are mounting. Their real strength has been their rock solid defense. The loss of Hall is immense. Add in Verstraete injury and Sakai having to move to CB then thats a total disruption of their defensive setup. Losing Howeson is a blow as well. They conceded twice yesterday and looked at times defensively vulnerable. The time i saw May live i thought he was class. Great touch and vision, but he is not a pure 9 IMO. I would move him wider and bring in Moreno up top.
When will the real challenges come? IMO except Victory there isn’t anyone that good. Adelaide have had a soft early draw and a pretty thin squad. Sydney are average and concede a lot of goals, WSW are unreliable.. your can’t tell me Perth and Roar will be their challenge austin111
True. A draw for two sides above us on the table is a good result. Reality time for AFC. More away games and the injuries are mounting. Their real strength has been their rock solid defense. The loss of Hall is immense. Add in Verstraete injury and Sakai having to move to CB then thats a total disruption of their defensive setup. Losing Howeson is a blow as well. They conceded twice yesterday and looked at times defensively vulnerable. The time i saw May live i thought he was class. Great touch and vision, but he is not a pure 9 IMO. I would move him wider and bring in Moreno up top.
When will the real challenges come? IMO except Victory there isn’t anyone that good. Adelaide have had a soft early draw and a pretty thin squad. Sydney are average and concede a lot of goals, WSW are unreliable.. your can’t tell me Perth and Roar will be their challenge austin111
True. A draw for two sides above us on the table is a good result. Reality time for AFC. More away games and the injuries are mounting. Their real strength has been their rock solid defense. The loss of Hall is immense. Add in Verstraete injury and Sakai having to move to CB then thats a total disruption of their defensive setup. Losing Howeson is a blow as well. They conceded twice yesterday and looked at times defensively vulnerable. The time i saw May live i thought he was class. Great touch and vision, but he is not a pure 9 IMO. I would move him wider and bring in Moreno up top.
Perth are sharke and AFC should get a job done against them, but Perth, in Perth, in January is a lot more formidable than you'd think given the summer time conditions they'll face in January. Brisbane has high heat, humidity, and a terrible pitch. Nothing should ever be taken for granted in this league.
I'm personally quite happy we got that Perth trip out of the way early on in the season, and with a modicum of fuss at that too.
Perth are sharke and AFC should get a job done against them, but Perth, in Perth, in January is a lot more formidable than you'd think given the summer time conditions they'll face in January.
Gillion is another headless chicken - like Sean Wright-Phillips. Lots of speed and close ball control. But no end product. Crosses are crap, Shooting is crap and is a bit too selfish. Takes on the player when a simple pass would suffice. It looks spectacular until the final product.
AFC deserved their draw. The City goalkeeper wanted to rove to Paulsen, that if he thought he could make a howler mistake, then He could do better. Why the fudge did he try to catch a bullet shot? Two fists together and punch the damn thing.
Disappointed for Hall, That'll take ages to heal.
The real disappointment though was the piss poor crowd. City Verses and unbeaten League Leaders?? That should've been a major draw card.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
When will the real challenges come? IMO except Victory there isn’t anyone that good. Adelaide have had a soft early draw and a pretty thin squad. Sydney are average and concede a lot of goals, WSW are unreliable.. your can’t tell me Perth and Roar will be their challenge austin111
True. A draw for two sides above us on the table is a good result. Reality time for AFC. More away games and the injuries are mounting. Their real strength has been their rock solid defense. The loss of Hall is immense. Add in Verstraete injury and Sakai having to move to CB then thats a total disruption of their defensive setup. Losing Howeson is a blow as well. They conceded twice yesterday and looked at times defensively vulnerable. The time i saw May live i thought he was class. Great touch and vision, but he is not a pure 9 IMO. I would move him wider and bring in Moreno up top.
Perth are sharke and AFC should get a job done against them, but Perth, in Perth, in January is a lot more formidable than you'd think given the summer time conditions they'll face in January. Brisbane has high heat, humidity, and a terrible pitch. Nothing should ever be taken for granted in this league.
I'm personally quite happy we got that Perth trip out of the way early on in the season, and with a modicum of fuss at that too.
AFC seem pretty well run so I'd imagine since they have a bye the week before Perth, they'll travel early and spend at least a week (or up to 2 if they really want) training in the heat and time zone
I think the whole "It will be tough in Perth and Brisbane due to the heat" is more wishful thinking then reality.. I went to the game last night, it was boiling hot (around 33 degrees in kick off) and by the end of the game City were off their feet and Auckland could have kept going. You got to remember, their coaching staff are not new to the league. Corica, Hay & even Jonathan Goulding all have A League experience and know how to prepare their teams for these challenges.. As for their recruits, Neydar Moreno played in the Baranquilla heat which is awful all year around, Felipe Gallegos played 3 seasons in the city of Aguascalientes and San Louis in Mexico with an altitude of 1800m each, players like Gillion and the other former NZ league players might struggle, but they have recruited well off and, on the field, and results are showing. At this rate, I cant see teams like Perth getting close to them YoungHeartHM
Nixieboys222
When will the real challenges come? IMO except Victory there isn’t anyone that good. Adelaide have had a soft early draw and a pretty thin squad. Sydney are average and concede a lot of goals, WSW are unreliable.. your can’t tell me Perth and Roar will be their challenge austin111
True. A draw for two sides above us on the table is a good result. Reality time for AFC. More away games and the injuries are mounting. Their real strength has been their rock solid defense. The loss of Hall is immense. Add in Verstraete injury and Sakai having to move to CB then thats a total disruption of their defensive setup. Losing Howeson is a blow as well. They conceded twice yesterday and looked at times defensively vulnerable. The time i saw May live i thought he was class. Great touch and vision, but he is not a pure 9 IMO. I would move him wider and bring in Moreno up top.
Perth are sharke and AFC should get a job done against them, but Perth, in Perth, in January is a lot more formidable than you'd think given the summer time conditions they'll face in January. Brisbane has high heat, humidity, and a terrible pitch. Nothing should ever be taken for granted in this league.
I'm personally quite happy we got that Perth trip out of the way early on in the season, and with a modicum of fuss at that too.
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