Auckland Pride - Make Auckland Great Again

Hopefully Waine for Mata and a young up and coming teenage South American import on Bournemouth’s radar for Moreno. While Moreno has had his moments, imports have to start and there is a weakness on that left wing. Need a bit more pace and physical presence up front as it is the weakness in the side. 

In terms of outgoings and those under contract, I think only two may be targeted. Dan Hall has achieved all he can in this part of the world and is still young enough to be attractive in Europe. Even last night he was player of the match for Auckland. 

Someone like Louis may be targeted by a J league club as with his physical presence he could put himself about in that league and really be an asset.

Dan Hall could play Championship for sure. Has everything you want from a modern day centre back.

AucklandPhoenix

Hopefully Waine for Mata and a young up and coming teenage South American import on Bournemouth’s radar for Moreno.

In terms of outgoings and those under contract, I think only two may be targeted. Dan Hall has achieved all he can in this part of te( world and is still young enough to be attractive in Europe.

Someone like Louis may be targeted by a J league club as with his physical presence he could put himself about in that legaue.

Keep your grubby hands off our Welly boy. ;)

get off this forum if you want waine at AFC and not at the Nix

AucklandPhoenix

Hopefully Waine for Mata and a young up and coming teenage South American import on Bournemouth’s radar for Moreno. While Moreno has had his moments, imports have to start and there is a weakness on that left wing. Need a bit more pace and physical presence up front as it is the weakness in the side. 

In terms of outgoings and those under contract, I think only two may be targeted. Dan Hall has achieved all he can in this part of the world and is still young enough to be attractive in Europe. Even last night he was player of the match for Auckland. 

Someone like Louis may be targeted by a J league club as with his physical presence he could put himself about in that league and really be an asset.

“The Phoenix are still the closest NZ team to get to the grand final” is an embarrassing claim. It’s giving “but Arsenal won more league points last season”. 

YoungHeartHM

imanixsupporter

AFC will be keeping the vast majority of their squad. Mata, Moreno and Rogerson are the only players they wouldnt want to lose out of contract. A NZH article a few weeks back strongly suggested a Rogerson extension was all but agreed. And I can't see fee paying clubs in for many of their players. Maybe Hall or Pijnaker but that would be it.

I personally think AFC started looking less imperious since Francois came into the regular starting lineup. I would have had Moreno/Randall in instead. Also might have changed the formation slightly and had Brimmer come into the lineup to replace Mata, rather than having Randall operate as a replacement striker. 

Word has it from Auckland sources that Mata is headed back to Shrewsbury and Moreno is asking for too much to stay. That's not shocking in the slightest when you have a successful season - prices inevitably increase. 

They'll have a pretty settled lineup for 25/26 otherwise, and even though they've moved early to sign Scott Morris as #2 to Woud, Paulsen will be a big hole to fill.

I am wondering if a bid comes in for FDV from a decent scnadanavian team whether he would want to head back over there. had a very decent season,one of the best AFC players. Might depend if he came back to Auckland to get fit and resume his career, or if he came back for good and has no desire to head back to Europe

Fitzy

“The Phoenix are still the closest NZ team to get to the grand final” is an embarrassing claim. It’s giving “but Arsenal won more league points last season”. 

Wow dont take things so seriously actually think its bloody funny. Given some of the banter thats gone backwards and forwards all season think that ones a gem.

Fitzy

“The Phoenix are still the closest NZ team to get to the grand final” is an embarrassing claim. It’s giving “but Arsenal won more league points last season”. 

Ignore me, I'm posting stupid things again.

No Hatty, you are posting a funny comment that some might take too seriously. As Ballane pointed out, some of the Vitriol coming from some AFC fans makes you wonder about a few things from up there. I wonder how the MV fans got on after the game??

dick le roc returns

YoungHeartHM

imanixsupporter

AFC will be keeping the vast majority of their squad. Mata, Moreno and Rogerson are the only players they wouldnt want to lose out of contract. A NZH article a few weeks back strongly suggested a Rogerson extension was all but agreed. And I can't see fee paying clubs in for many of their players. Maybe Hall or Pijnaker but that would be it.

I personally think AFC started looking less imperious since Francois came into the regular starting lineup. I would have had Moreno/Randall in instead. Also might have changed the formation slightly and had Brimmer come into the lineup to replace Mata, rather than having Randall operate as a replacement striker. 

Word has it from Auckland sources that Mata is headed back to Shrewsbury and Moreno is asking for too much to stay. That's not shocking in the slightest when you have a successful season - prices inevitably increase. 

They'll have a pretty settled lineup for 25/26 otherwise, and even though they've moved early to sign Scott Morris as #2 to Woud, Paulsen will be a big hole to fill.

I am wondering if a bid comes in for FDV from a decent scnadanavian team whether he would want to head back over there. had a very decent season,one of the best AFC players. Might depend if he came back to Auckland to get fit and resume his career, or if he came back for good and has no desire to head back to Europe

What he won't want to do is jeopardise his World Cup selection chances. Any overseas offer would have to be more attractive than a team in Sweden methinks. As others have said at age 30, wouldn't be a big number of suitors despite his great ALM season.

Can see him staying at Auckland for one more season, go to the 2026 WC, and then at nearly 32 see what else is out there. Maybe Japan or South Korea?

coochiee

dick le roc returns

YoungHeartHM

imanixsupporter

AFC will be keeping the vast majority of their squad. Mata, Moreno and Rogerson are the only players they wouldnt want to lose out of contract. A NZH article a few weeks back strongly suggested a Rogerson extension was all but agreed. And I can't see fee paying clubs in for many of their players. Maybe Hall or Pijnaker but that would be it.

I personally think AFC started looking less imperious since Francois came into the regular starting lineup. I would have had Moreno/Randall in instead. Also might have changed the formation slightly and had Brimmer come into the lineup to replace Mata, rather than having Randall operate as a replacement striker. 

Word has it from Auckland sources that Mata is headed back to Shrewsbury and Moreno is asking for too much to stay. That's not shocking in the slightest when you have a successful season - prices inevitably increase. 

They'll have a pretty settled lineup for 25/26 otherwise, and even though they've moved early to sign Scott Morris as #2 to Woud, Paulsen will be a big hole to fill.

I am wondering if a bid comes in for FDV from a decent scnadanavian team whether he would want to head back over there. had a very decent season,one of the best AFC players. Might depend if he came back to Auckland to get fit and resume his career, or if he came back for good and has no desire to head back to Europe

What he won't want to do is jeopardise his World Cup selection chances. Any overseas offer would have to be more attractive than a team in Sweden methinks. As others have said at age 30, would be a big number of suitors despite his great ALM season.

Can see him staying at Auckland for one more season, go to the 2026 WC, and then at nearly 32 see what else is out there. Maybe Japan or South Korea?

For the best LB in the league I've been told he's very cheap pay packet wise! 

10 goal involvements for the best team in the league should garner some strong interest, although it would have to be outside the A-League as I think he's signed on for next season. Would easily double, and probably triple what he's on if he was to be picked up by another side in Asia.

As someone who lives in Hamilton and has been watching all the AFC games I've been torn over whether I should be flipping like everyone else in my region and supporting AFC and reflecting on my years of nix support. 

I felt no tension from watching the Auckland game like a nix game, I even felt happy and relieved when they lost. I've tried to like Auckland because it would be convenient, but I don't. I feel nothing for them even when I imagined I would. I don't like their owners, Im lukewarm at best on their fans and I don't like how pundits fawn over them. 

I thought I'd share these feelings as surely im not the only in the provinces Auckland and Wellington that are now having to truly question who they want to support. Hopefully when I go to the away derby next season and we get the win it will bring me more joy than any other nix game ever has.

Gonna have at least one visa spot to fill by the sounds of it.
Read that Mata might be returning to Shrewsbury Town (L2). But why would he want to do that?

Got their own Sky Sport doco coming out.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360700749/auckland-fc-left-hurting-after-missing-out-place-league-men-grand-final

The attacking side of their game has been a work in progress all season long and that work will now have to ramp-up during the five-month off-season. It’s hard to see Neyder Moreno being re-signed after he was used as a substitute in both legs of the semifinal, his off-the-ball work-rate seemingly not up to Corica’s standards.

Sidelined striker Max Mata was missed in the home leg much more than he was in the away leg, where the pace of his replacement, Randall, was a boost as Auckland attacked largely on the counter.

At home, in possession, they needed Mata working Victory’s defenders and wearing them down, the way he did when his introduction to the starting lineup in January helped lift his side out of a mid-season slump.

Backed to the hilt by American billionaire Bill Foley, Auckland had the chance to do it all in season one, but will only be spectators – if they can stomach it – while the spotlight falls on Melbourne next weekend.

They now have pain to use as fuel for season two, but the ‘Toilet Seat’ trophy teams get for winning the A-League Men Championship will taunt them wherever it ends up, as they will know they were close to completing an unprecedented first-season double.

Wanderers got even closer 12 years ago, made grand finals again – and lost again – in 2014 and 2016, then haven’t won a finals match since. The Wellington Phoenix got within a win of the final in 2010 then didn’t get that close again until 2024. Auckland will hope the same fate doesn’t befall them.

................. The documentary that’s been filmed for Sky Sport won’t come with a happy ending.

I wouldn't surprise if Auckland went hard for either Eli Just or Sarpreet Singh. Either could be just what they are missing, to win a game like last night.

Someone on here in the know a while back said Singh was asking for 800k to come here so they politely declined.

It’s a position which they don’t really need if they have May as well. One could argue he is better then Singh.

Agree about Just. Think they will go for both him and Waine and if one says yes and the other no they will then use the remaining import spot on the other position (wing or striker)

Didnt someone say Waine really wanted to stay over there rather than come back here at the moment.

AucklandPhoenix

Someone on here in the know a while back said Singh was asking for 800k to come here so they politely declined.

It’s a position which they don’t really need if they have May as well. One could argue he is better then Singh.

Agree about Just. Think they will go for both him and Waine and if one says yes and the other no they will then use the remaining import spot on the other position (wing or striker)

Another season in Europe not doing much. 
Auckland now proven as a destination to rebuild a career

Singh maybe more open and realístic about a NZ return now

I “laughed out loud” at the nix being the closest comment. It filled me with a wee bit of pride as well. COYN.

HattyCW

Fitzy

“The Phoenix are still the closest NZ team to get to the grand final” is an embarrassing claim. It’s giving “but Arsenal won more league points last season”. 

Ignore me, I'm posting stupid things again.

Nommag

As someone who lives in Hamilton and has been watching all the AFC games I've been torn over whether I should be flipping like everyone else in my region and supporting AFC and reflecting on my years of nix support. 

I felt no tension from watching the Auckland game like a nix game, I even felt happy and relieved when they lost. I've tried to like Auckland because it would be convenient, but I don't. I feel nothing for them even when I imagined I would. I don't like their owners, Im lukewarm at best on their fans and I don't like how pundits fawn over them. 

I thought I'd share these feelings as surely im not the only in the provinces Auckland and Wellington that are now having to truly question who they want to support. Hopefully when I go to the away derby next season and we get the win it will bring me more joy than any other nix game ever has.

support both and then when the AWs have games don't care where players come from and support the white shirt most

Seems like they will release Moreno? From Voermann’s article. 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360700749/auckland-fc-left-hurting-after-missing-out-place-league-men-grand-final

martinb

Seems like they will release Moreno? From Voermann’s article. 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360700749/auckland-fc-left-hurting-after-missing-out-place-league-men-grand-final

Moreno is asking for more money than even Bill Foley would grant. But there's a reason he didn't start in the last few games.

dick le roc returns

Nommag

As someone who lives in Hamilton and has been watching all the AFC games I've been torn over whether I should be flipping like everyone else in my region and supporting AFC and reflecting on my years of nix support. 

I felt no tension from watching the Auckland game like a nix game, I even felt happy and relieved when they lost. I've tried to like Auckland because it would be convenient, but I don't. I feel nothing for them even when I imagined I would. I don't like their owners, Im lukewarm at best on their fans and I don't like how pundits fawn over them. 

I thought I'd share these feelings as surely im not the only in the provinces Auckland and Wellington that are now having to truly question who they want to support. Hopefully when I go to the away derby next season and we get the win it will bring me more joy than any other nix game ever has.

support both and then when the AWs have games don't care where players come from and support the white shirt most

Absolutely. It does my heart really good to see Kosta and De Vries playing together.

coochiee

Gonna have at least one visa spot to fill by the sounds of it.
Read that Mata might be returning to Shrewsbury Town (L2). But why would he want to do that?

Got their own Sky Sport doco coming out.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360700749/auckland-fc-left-hurting-after-missing-out-place-league-men-grand-final

The attacking side of their game has been a work in progress all season long and that work will now have to ramp-up during the five-month off-season. It’s hard to see Neyder Moreno being re-signed after he was used as a substitute in both legs of the semifinal, his off-the-ball work-rate seemingly not up to Corica’s standards.

Sidelined striker Max Mata was missed in the home leg much more than he was in the away leg, where the pace of his replacement, Randall, was a boost as Auckland attacked largely on the counter.

At home, in possession, they needed Mata working Victory’s defenders and wearing them down, the way he did when his introduction to the starting lineup in January helped lift his side out of a mid-season slump.

Backed to the hilt by American billionaire Bill Foley, Auckland had the chance to do it all in season one, but will only be spectators – if they can stomach it – while the spotlight falls on Melbourne next weekend.

They now have pain to use as fuel for season two, but the ‘Toilet Seat’ trophy teams get for winning the A-League Men Championship will taunt them wherever it ends up, as they will know they were close to completing an unprecedented first-season double.

Wanderers got even closer 12 years ago, made grand finals again – and lost again – in 2014 and 2016, then haven’t won a finals match since. The Wellington Phoenix got within a win of the final in 2010 then didn’t get that close again until 2024. Auckland will hope the same fate doesn’t befall them.

................. The documentary that’s been filmed for Sky Sport won’t come with a happy ending.

Depends where I watch it..

billyspleen75

coochiee

Gonna have at least one visa spot to fill by the sounds of it.
Read that Mata might be returning to Shrewsbury Town (L2). But why would he want to do that?

Got their own Sky Sport doco coming out.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360700749/auckland-fc-left-hurting-after-missing-out-place-league-men-grand-final

The attacking side of their game has been a work in progress all season long and that work will now have to ramp-up during the five-month off-season. It’s hard to see Neyder Moreno being re-signed after he was used as a substitute in both legs of the semifinal, his off-the-ball work-rate seemingly not up to Corica’s standards.

Sidelined striker Max Mata was missed in the home leg much more than he was in the away leg, where the pace of his replacement, Randall, was a boost as Auckland attacked largely on the counter.

At home, in possession, they needed Mata working Victory’s defenders and wearing them down, the way he did when his introduction to the starting lineup in January helped lift his side out of a mid-season slump.

Backed to the hilt by American billionaire Bill Foley, Auckland had the chance to do it all in season one, but will only be spectators – if they can stomach it – while the spotlight falls on Melbourne next weekend.

They now have pain to use as fuel for season two, but the ‘Toilet Seat’ trophy teams get for winning the A-League Men Championship will taunt them wherever it ends up, as they will know they were close to completing an unprecedented first-season double.

Wanderers got even closer 12 years ago, made grand finals again – and lost again – in 2014 and 2016, then haven’t won a finals match since. The Wellington Phoenix got within a win of the final in 2010 then didn’t get that close again until 2024. Auckland will hope the same fate doesn’t befall them.

................. The documentary that’s been filmed for Sky Sport won’t come with a happy ending.

Depends where I watch it..

What was the doco like last season when Sky followed the Phoenix all the way to the playoffs?

Somewhere in David’s account of his career the other day on the pod, he did talk about some discussions about this or something similar. 

I’ll have to have another listen

What did Danny Hay do/say exactly to get a red and a two match ban? I missed it 

imanixsupporter

What did Danny Hay do/say exactly to get a red and a two match ban? I missed it 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360702801/auckland-fc-assistant-danny-hay-cops-two-game-ban-semifinal-red-card

Auckland FC 
‘Do not go gentle into that good night
Rage and whine at lino’s sight
Claiming the call was not right
Do not go gentle into that good night’


Still would actually be a cool motto
‘Do not go gentle into that good night’

What was the doco like last season when Sky followed the Phoenix all the way to the playoffs?

I was being sarcastic, about there not being one...

imanixsupporter

What did Danny Hay do/say exactly to get a red and a two match ban? I missed it 

The classic, referee's too scared to send off players during the match for directly screaming in his face but happy to flaunt his ego afterwards.

20 Legend

imanixsupporter

What did Danny Hay do/say exactly to get a red and a two match ban? I missed it 

The classic, referee's too scared to send off players during the match for directly screaming in his face but happy to flaunt his ego afterwards.

What a bizarre comment

Khalil Media

What was the doco like last season when Sky followed the Phoenix all the way to the playoffs?

I was being sarcastic, about there not being one...

The documentary has been driven by Auckland FC in partnership with an independent production company (to document their first season) and is being broadcast on Sky Sport – this is a false equivalence

andrewvoerman

Khalil Media

What was the doco like last season when Sky followed the Phoenix all the way to the playoffs?

I was being sarcastic, about there not being one...

The documentary has been driven by Auckland FC in partnership with an independent production company (to document their first season) and is being broadcast on Sky Sport – this is a false equivalence

for what it's worth Sky are marketing this as one of their sky originals projects in conjunction with Julie Christie

Dear Auckland,   

What a season. It has been truly remarkable and exceeded my expectations; both on the field and off it. The fan support for the Black Knights has been incredible and for that I want to say, ‘thank you’.   Saturday’s semi-final loss wasn’t the ending we all hoped for but don’t let diminish what has been an incredible season. While we ended up falling just short of our ultimate goal, I am filled with immense gratitude and appreciation as I reflect on this year.   

To our supporters, whether you filled The Port or came with your family, thank you for believing in this club and creating the best atmosphere in the league.  We broke numerous records, defied expectations and united a city with four sell-out games and the highest average attendance in the A-League.   

You, our fans, did that. You roared us on and got behind us as we won our first six matches, became the fastest team to score 50 goals and the first Kiwi club to win A-League silverware. 

Thank you to the staff, volunteers, players and coaches who all helped contribute to the success of this club and build it from the ground up.   Last but certainly not least, thank you to the city of Auckland for believing in this club and giving us a place to call home. I am proud of the team, grateful for what it has achieved, and humbled by the support this city has given us.   

We do not take that for granted, we will not rest on our laurels, I know how hard the team will work to make sure next season is even more successful than our first.   

Always advance, never retreat. 

Bill Foley.

Got this message when hit link in Bill's letter!

Offside!
Page not found

I know another kiwi #9 that I’d love to have down in Wellington 😉

— Ben Mata (@BenMata6) May 27, 2025

Pretty much stating that his brother isn't extending at Auckland and will likely be returning back to Shrewsbury (well for now at least).

As posted elsewhere by RR, Moreno is leaving Auckland.

Nelfoos

20 Legend

imanixsupporter

What did Danny Hay do/say exactly to get a red and a two match ban? I missed it 

The classic, referee's too scared to send off players during the match for directly screaming in his face but happy to flaunt his ego afterwards.

What a bizarre comment

Is it? After Fornaroli got his yellow for a foul he literally walked up to the referee and screamed in his face. Many more instances in the game. Yet the ref has decided he's gonna draw the line with the assistant coach after the game. Rightio.

Welcome to Alex King. 

Jackson and 3 mates retaliate and start crap after a marginal foul. Crickets. Two minutes later Paulsen is carded, and not the guy who’s committed a dangerous pro foul. 

He’s ya maaaatey ref! 

But Danny Hay probably deserved it. Let’s be honest! 

coochiee

As posted elsewhere by RR, Moreno is leaving Auckland.

Thought he was quite a handy player for them and that will be a loss.