nah It's a scheduling issue. National League doesn't stop for the international break so they have a game on next weekend
But Auckland City also didn't play Auckland FC, during what is a long ALM preseason.
City have been NZ's dominant domestic club for over a decade. You'd think they are the one local club side AFC would really want to play.
You can't tell me City's Ivan Vuksich wasn't at least a little bit miffed, that he has been completely overlooked for any role with Auckland's new A League club.
Not surprising being overlooked though is it? He was involved with the other Auckland bid alongside Alex Sipka. In fact they're still registered under Auckland FC Limited via the companies office...
Very strong Croatian roots via Central United/ACFC as well, so although AFC have been schmoozing other clubs around the Auckland scene, I don't recall once seeing Central United/ACFC being mentioned. Whether that's by design or not, or whether they don't want any association to be made between the two, well, there's only a few people who could tell you that for sure.
Second Auckland team for the expanded league? Could have a bigger catchment than WU and man, that derby would really bite! Save on transport- only a couple of fare zones.
Could very well be a holding name for this Oceania Pro League.
Although the company behind it was founded prior to any chatter surrounding a professional football league in Oceania.
Just a thought anyway.